NABIRE – The Nabire Regency Government, through its Agriculture Office, is strengthening the capacity of Indigenous Papuan (OAP) farmers by providing training to 15 farmer groups throughout 2026. Funded by the Special Autonomy (Otsus) program, the initiative aims to improve agricultural skills while fostering economic self-reliance through the development of sustainable farming enterprises.
Head of the Nabire Agriculture Office, Sumardi, explained that all participants are members of Indigenous Papuan farmer groups selected under the Otsus-based empowerment program. In addition to technical training, participants also receive assistance in the form of seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment to support their farming activities.
The training covers sweet potato cultivation techniques, the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and hands-on field practice through demonstration plots (demplots) featuring a variety of horticultural crops.
According to Sumardi, the program is designed not only to increase crop yields but also to strengthen farmers’ ability to process agricultural products and build sustainable agribusinesses, enabling farmer groups to become more self-sufficient over time.
“We want Indigenous Papuan farmer groups to become independent, develop businesses based on their agricultural products, and reduce their dependence on government assistance,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Agriculture Office will also establish demonstration plots for other commodities, including shallots, garlic, and soybeans. Development sites will be selected based on land suitability to ensure optimal productivity for each crop in its respective area.
For example, the Wanggar area has been identified as a suitable location for shallot cultivation due to its favorable land characteristics, while other regions will focus on commodities best suited to their local agricultural potential.
Beyond serving as training facilities, the demonstration plots will also produce seed stock that can be distributed to newly established farmer groups, supporting the long-term expansion of agricultural development across the region.
At the same time, the local government continues to accelerate agricultural modernization by providing Indigenous Papuan farmers with mechanized farming equipment, including cultivators, brush cutters, and corn shelling machines, to improve land management efficiency and overall agricultural productivity.
Sumardi added that assistance financed through the Special Autonomy Fund is specifically allocated to Indigenous Papuan farmer groups as part of the government’s empowerment program for native Papuan communities. Meanwhile, agricultural assistance provided by the central government through the relevant ministries remains available to all farmer groups regardless of their background.
