Jayapura (ANTARA) — The Jayapura District Government in Papua Province is reinforcing the agricultural sector as a key strategy to revitalize the local economy and improve community welfare in rural areas.

Regent Yunus Wonda emphasized during his visit to Sentani on Monday that agriculture forms the backbone of regional development, as it actively involves community participation and holds immense potential to foster economic self-reliance.

“Agriculture must become a reliable pillar because our communities in the villages already possess land, skills, and experience. The government’s role is to support them through access to markets, farming tools, and continuous mentoring,” Wonda said.

Currently, Jayapura’s development policies are focused on strengthening a real economy rooted in villages, with agriculture serving as the spearhead of this vision.

“We don’t want our people to just wait for aid — they should be empowered to harness their own potential, particularly in agriculture, which is deeply intertwined with their everyday lives,” he explained.

The district has initiated various programs, including farmer group empowerment, quality seed distribution, and infrastructure improvements across agricultural production centers.

“We’re also preparing agricultural extension officers who will continuously assist village communities to ensure higher productivity,” he added.

Wonda further highlighted the double impact of agricultural growth — not only as a source of employment but also as a catalyst for local trade and service sectors.

“If agriculture flourishes, local markets will thrive, small businesses will grow, and money circulation in villages will increase. This is what we mean by an economy rooted in village-based prosperity,” he concluded.

Source:
Agustina Estevani Janggo (Reporter), Muhsidin (Editor). ANTARA News, Monday, May 26, 2025.