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October 25, 2024 | 09:12 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An economist from the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, criticized the Indonesian government’s food estate plan that has been conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan. The food estate in Papua, he said, perpetuates colonial extractivism—the exploitation of natural resources by foreign companies that occurred in the past.
"Papua is once again exploited for the sake of national development without weighing the potential significant impact on local communities and the environment,” the founder and CEO of the Narasi Institute told Tempo on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
The food estate project has been running since former President Jokowi’s reign, established in Central Kalimantan, Central Sumba, Gresik, Garut, Temanggung, and Merauke. It’s also included in the 2020-2024 National Strategic Project (PSN) list.
Achmad warned that the exploitation of natural resources often offers no significant benefit to local communities. Papua, with its rich biodiversity and culture, becomes an apparent target of exploitation. Turning 2 million hectares of land into an agricultural field will alter the landscape carefully preserved by Indigenous communities.
"The history of colonialism in Papua shows that the management of resources by outsiders often overlooks the interests of local communities," said Achmad, who is now a lecturer at Universitas Indonesia.
Aside from being minimally involved in decision-making, the indigenous people of Papua are worried about losing their land, as these assets are also crucial for cultural and spiritual values.
"Without clear protection, the food estate in Papua has the potential to exacerbate the existing social and economic inequalities there," Achmad added.
Achmad suggested a more inclusive and sustainable approach instead of food estate. According to Achmad, agricultural projects should be followed by empowering local farmers and sustainable land management without neglecting transparent supervision.
"Food self-sufficiency can be achieved without repeating the mistakes of our colonial history," he said. "Papua is not an object but an integral part of Indonesia that must be preserved and respected."
Minister Zulkifli Hasan previously mentioned the potential of a 2 million-hectare field in Papua, planted with various food crops such as rice, corn, and sugar cane. “Our future lies in Papua,” he said on Monday, October 21, as quoted from Antara.
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