DEVELOPMENT – Let’s talk about old things but still exist until now. Sago is one of the oldest basic food ingredients in Indonesia. Papuan people have consumed sago since prehistoric times, judging by the various evidence from the artifacts that accompany it. Sago is not only considered food, but is a cultural product for various ethnic groups in Papua. Special rituals and ceremonies in several tribes still use sago in various processions. Starting from offerings to expressing gratitude for the blessings felt or symbols of hope for life. So it is not surprising that in increasingly modern times, sago remains a food consumed by the Papuan people. Even though some Papuan people are now switching to rice as a common staple food for Indonesian citizens, there is still a position where sago cannot be replaced by rice.
In the modern era which is fast-paced and increasingly developing, especially in terms of increasing capacity, sago farmers in Papua are also trying hard to keep up. The aim is of course to accelerate the economy and also ensure sustainable food security. It is hoped that sago, which continues to be processed in the agricultural process, will not become extinct over time. Moreover, don’t let sago be completely replaced by rice. Sago farmers in Papua are trying to create a sustainable farming system. Customs must still be adhered to because sago is considered to have sacred value and must be utilized as much as possible for the benefit of the surrounding community, but it cannot be harvested without being replanted.
Stakeholders including the regional government are also trying to provide adequate facilities for sago farmers in Papua. Providing facilities, especially processing tools and also knowledge for sago farming, is provided in the form of counseling. The hope is of course that agricultural output from sago can increase and that the Papuan people will not lack stocks of sago as a staple food ingredient. However, again, on the one hand, it is emphasized that there should not be large-scale exploitation of sago which could actually lead to natural destruction.
Sustainable sago farming is an empowerment program that the Papuan people hope for. In addition, developing national sago is one of the government’s priority programs in developing plantation-based industries.
This is mandated in Presidential Regulation Number 18 of 2020 concerning the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan. Sago management in Indonesia is closely related to community customary land, the use of sago forests in forest areas, improving the community’s economy, as well as the fulfillment of sago as an industrial raw material. For this reason, national sago development does not only focus on aspects of fulfilling the community’s healthy food supply, but also on the social and cultural aspects of the surrounding community.
