Ministry of Agriculture and Inspirational Young Papuans Train 1,200 Millennial Farmers

A total of 1,200 young Papuan and West Papuan farmers were simultaneously trained and assisted by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Inspirational Young Papuans. This program is a continuation of the Millennial Farmer Program, which was encouraged by President Joko Widodo, to support Indonesia's food security.

This training activity was held in 20 districts/cities in Papua and 18 districts/cities in West Papua, with more than 1,200 participants, through the Agricultural Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BPPSDMP). This training will take place from 15-23 November 2021, followed by intensive mentoring for the next 1 year.

The follow-up training was opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, virtually, attended by the government ranks of the Papua and West Papua provinces, regents from 6 districts, heads of the provincial and district agriculture and food security services.

"This is to fulfill President Jokowi's promise during a visit during the Opening of PON yesterday in Papua. He asked the Minister of Agriculture to improve the skills of young Papuans, and the number should be 2,000 people. The President asked that continuous assistance should be provided to increase their capacity," said Presidential Special Staff Billy Mambrasar in a statement, Tuesday (11/16/2021).

The big target of the Millennial Farmers program is the creation of 2.5 million young Indonesian farmers throughout Indonesia. The Minister of Agriculture said that the training for Millennial Farmers in Papua and West Papua to support food availability was extraordinary. Moreover, Papua has a fertile earth.

"If we all move, then the availability of food will be fulfilled. However, we hope that millennial farmers can be at the forefront in this regard. Papua has a fertile earth, use it for agriculture," he said.

“These are my children and cannot fail. This is a momentum for connecting and the next step is mixing with other agricultural programs. You fighters for humanity, if you want to build Papua with agriculture, you farm and build agriculture in this Papuan land. It's your job to prove it," said the Minister of Agriculture.

In Papua Province, the training was held at BPTP Papua, BLP Sentani, BPP Sidori, Dishut Biak, Ditan Merauke, Distan Nabire, Polbangtan Merauke, BPP Semangga, Balai Kampung Domande, Diperta, SMK Eca, and Diperta Yapen.

Meanwhile in West Papua, the training was centered at Polbangtan Manokwari, District Agriculture Office. Pegaf, District Agriculture Office. Telbin, District Agriculture Office. Sorong, District Agriculture Office. Fakfak and the District Agriculture Office. Tambrauw.

SOURCE: https://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/854413/kementan-dan-papua-muda-inspiratif-unjuk-1200-petani-millennial