Jayapura – The Papua Provincial Government will hold 21 Affordable Food Campaigns throughout the 2026 National Religious Holidays (HBKN) as an effort to maintain price stability and control regional inflation.
Papua Deputy Governor Aryoko Rumaropen stated in Jayapura on Tuesday that the activities will be implemented in collaboration with the National Food Agency, district/city governments, distributors, and state-owned enterprises in the food and logistics sectors.
“The implementation of this affordable food campaign is our effort to maintain price stability in Papua, especially in the lead-up to religious holidays,” he said.
According to Aryoko, events such as Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Christmas, New Year, and other major holidays will facilitate public access to affordable staple foods.
“Based on our monitoring, many commodities experience price increases ahead of religious holidays like these, therefore, the affordable food campaign is essential,” he said.
He cited the example of chili peppers, which are usually Rp 30,000 per kilogram, but can reach Rp 50,000-Rp 100,000 per kilogram during religious holidays. Red onions, which are usually Rp 30,000 per kilogram, can rise to Rp 65,000 per kilogram. Therefore, to maintain the stability of affordable food, such measures must be implemented.
“On Friday (February 13th), the Papua Provincial Government held a low-cost food program. Therefore, I have asked the district and city governments in Papua to also hold similar activities,” he added.
He added that the Papua Provincial Government hopes this initiative will help the public obtain affordable food while maintaining regional inflation stability throughout 2026.
