West Papua Focuses on Food Security and Economy During the Pandemic

West Papua Focuses on Food Security and Economy During the Pandemic

West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan said, as long as there was no corona virus vaccine determined by the world health organization or WHO (world health organization), the main problems West Papua would face were in the food and economic sectors.

In response to these conditions, the Government of West Papua has set policy directions and strategic priority programs, to focus on maintaining food security in the regions, and trying to increase various resources and funds to finance agricultural sector activities.

"We do not know yet, when Corona will end, because no vaccine has been found. So what we need to do is, our food security is stable and there is a food supply chain to meet daily food needs, "Mandacan said, Wednesday (06/17/2020).

Mandacan also hopes that, through various budget sources, which are currently in the distribution phase to the village and kelurahan level, in West Papua, if it can be functioned appropriately and efficiently to ensure the availability of local food in supporting food security during the pandemic.

"To meet the needs of household life, I hope all can grow local food in the short term, such as rice in the lowlands, tubers, fruits in coastal and mountainous areas, adjusted to the conditions of the land and the environment," he said.

As for some budget sources that are being focused on preventing the spread of Covid-19 and strengthening local food in the region, namely the use of Village Funds by following the Governor's Regulation (Governor Regulation) to be implemented by the Regent / Mayor and the use of cash-intensive labor funds.

"Cash-intensive funds can be used for land clearing costs, seed purchases to plant special local food," Mandacan said.