At traditional markets across parts of Papua, people rarely discuss agricultural policy.
They discuss prices.
How much rice costs this week.
They also discuss whether transport expenses have increased again.
The question of whether salaries will last until next month remains unanswered.
That reality partly explains why Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman responded to questions surrounding the documentary Pesta Babi by talking less about film and more about rice.
“We are building a food celebration, not dependence on imports,” Amran said during public remarks delivered on June 4 while responding to growing debate surrounding the food estate program in Merauke.
The statement came as arguments surrounding the documentary continued spreading online.
Amran chose another direction.
He returned repeatedly to production numbers.
Harvests.
Food prices.
Rice Prices Become Government’s Main Argument
For years, food prices in Papua have remained sensitive because transportation expenses frequently push costs higher than many other regions.
Officials repeatedly point to rice as the clearest example.
Speaking publicly this week, Amran said rice prices in parts of Papua that previously reached around Rp30,000 per kilogram had fallen to approximately Rp13,000.
The figure immediately became central to the government’s response.
Because regardless of politics, price changes are easier for people to measure.
In markets, lower prices are visible.
“What We Build Is Food”
Amran returned several times to the same message.
The objective in Merauke, he said, was not controversy.
It was production.
“What we are building in Merauke is food,” he told journalists while discussing the government’s strategy.
His remarks gained widespread attention as they directly addressed the project’s criticism.
Supporters viewed the statement as evidence that policymakers wanted attention redirected toward economic outcomes.
Critics argued questions surrounding implementation still deserved discussion.
Why Merauke Continues Appearing In National Food Discussions
Flying into Papua Selatan (South Papua) reveals something difficult to ignore.
Space.
Large stretches of land.
Wide swamp areas.
Long roads cutting through landscapes that remain relatively undeveloped compared with many other parts of Indonesia.
For years, much of this land attracted attention because of its agricultural potential.
Government planners increasingly describe Merauke as one of the few regions capable of supporting large-scale expansion.
Swamp Areas Now Producing More Frequently
One of the minister’s strongest claims involved land productivity.
According to Amran, areas previously considered swamp land with limited productivity can now produce rice harvests three times each year following land preparation and agricultural intervention programs.
Officials argue that this change matters because food security increasingly depends not only on land availability but also on harvest frequency.
More cycles mean more production.
More production potentially means more stable prices.
Project Size Smaller Than Many People Assume
Another point that government officials repeatedly emphasize is the scale of the project.
According to information presented by the Agriculture Ministry, the food estate project in Merauke currently covers around 60,000 hectares.
Officials compare that figure with projects elsewhere.
Sumatra Selatan (South Sumatra).
Aceh.
Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan).
Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan).
Several of those projects reportedly exceed 200,000 hectares.
Government officials increasingly use those comparisons when responding to claims that Papua is uniquely targeted for large-scale agricultural expansion.
Support And Criticism Continue Existing Side By Side
Public discussion surrounding Merauke is often ambiguous.
Several indigenous figures publicly support the project.
Others remain cautious.
Some communities see employment opportunities.
Others continue asking questions regarding implementation.
That complexity partly explains why documentaries, public statements, and development programs continue colliding.
Film Debate Expands Beyond Cinema
What began as discussion surrounding a documentary increasingly became discussion about development itself.
Food security.
Representation.
Economic priorities.
Trust.
Several government figures argued that negative narratives surrounding strategic projects could potentially create misunderstanding or social tension.
Some supporters of the program even suggested certain narratives risk weakening confidence in national development programs.
These remain political interpretations rather than measurable conclusions.
What is clearer is that the debate itself continues to grow.
Food Security Increasingly Drives Government Policy
Government officials repeatedly connect Merauke with larger concerns.
Climate change.
Supply chain disruptions.
Population growth.
Global food uncertainty.
These concerns partly explain why agricultural programs increasingly receive political attention.
For policymakers, Merauke is no longer discussed only as Papua Selatan.
It is increasingly discussed as future production capacity.
Beyond Rice, Officials Also Talk About Jobs
Economic discussions surrounding food estates often include topics beyond agriculture.
Officials increasingly mention employment.
Transport businesses.
Warehousing.
Agricultural services.
Equipment operators.
Supporters argue large-scale agriculture creates economic activity beyond farming itself.
Whether those expectations materialize fully remains difficult to measure today.
But expectations remain high.
Conclusion
The argument surrounding Merauke continues.
Documentaries continue circulating.
Criticism continues.
Government responses continue.
Yet for many households across Papua, the conversation often returns to something simpler.
Can food become cheaper?
Can harvests increase?
Can jobs appear?
Political debates may continue for years.
Rice prices, however, are checked almost every day.