When Ambassador Philip Taula, New Zealand’s chief diplomat to Indonesia, arrived in Merauke and Jayapura on November 19-20, 2025, the moment marked more than a routine courtesy call. It symbolized a deepening commitment between Indonesia and its international partners to address one of the greatest challenges facing Papua’s future: sustainable and culturally grounded food security. Joined by Rajendra Aryal, the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, the ambassador embarked on a rare, high-level mission across two strategic regions—Merauke in South Papua and Sentani in Jayapura Regency—to witness firsthand the central role that local food systems, especially sago, play in the livelihoods of Indigenous Papuans.
From the rice plains of Merauke to the sago forests surrounding Lake Sentani, the visit underscored a shared understanding among local leaders, traditional authorities, and international agencies: that safeguarding Papua’s future requires reconnecting food development with cultural identity, ecological sustainability, and community empowerment. What unfolded over the course of the mission was a powerful narrative of cooperation, hope, and the revitalization of one of the oldest food systems in the Pacific.
Merauke: A Key Frontier in Indonesia’s National Food Security Agenda
Located on the southeastern edge of Papua, the district of Merauke has long been positioned by the Indonesian government as a strategic food production center. With its vast open land, fertile soils, and proximity to transboundary markets, the region holds enormous agricultural potential. Yet for many Indigenous and rural communities, achieving food security remains a daily struggle shaped by infrastructure limitations, access barriers, and climate variability.
During his visit, Ambassador Taula listened closely as local agricultural officials and residents explained the challenges they face—erraticainfall, limited mechanization tools, high transportation costs, and dependence on traditional farming practices that are increasingly pressured by modern demands. Far from being detached observers, both the ambassador and the FAO team engaged directly with farmers, offering technical insights and discussing long-term opportunities for collaboration.
According to the local report from RRI Merauke, the working visit highlighted the importance of empowering agricultural extension workers and strengthening coordination among farmers, local government, and development partners. These extension workers serve as the vital bridge connecting innovation with Indigenous farming knowledge, providing guidance on crop diversification, land management, and sustainable cultivation techniques suited to Papua’s unique environment.
For New Zealand, which has built a strong global reputation for agricultural innovation, the Merauke stop reinforced the country’s ongoing commitment to supporting Indonesia’s broader food resilience goals. Ambassador Taula emphasized that cooperation must be grounded not only in technical support but also in a deep respect for local traditions and community leadership. As Papua continues to evolve within Indonesia’s national development framework, Merauke remains a critical entry point for both domestic and international partners seeking to build resilient food systems in the region.
Journey to Sentani: Where Culture, Ecology, and Food Security Converge
From Merauke’s open farmlands, the diplomatic mission traveled north to Sentani in Jayapura Regency, a region famous for its vibrant culture, sprawling sago forests, and strong Indigenous governance. If Merauke represents the agricultural frontier for national food production, Sentani is the symbolic heartland of Papua’s traditional food heritage.
Here, Ambassador Taula took part in a series of cultural and community-led events that centered around Papua’s most iconic staple food: sago. Unlike rice or maize, sago is not just a crop but a lifeline that reflects centuries of Indigenous knowledge, ecological balance, and cultural identity. The people of Sentani see sago not merely as a source of sustenance but as a spiritual resource inherited from their ancestors.
The Sago Festival and the Inauguration of “Rumah Sagu Holey Narey”
One of the central moments of the visit was the Ambassador’s attendance at the Festival Sagu Yosiba, a vibrant community gathering held in the traditional villages of Babrongko, Simporo, and Yoboi. The festival showcased traditional sago dishes, canoe processions across Lake Sentani, dances, and ceremonies led by tribal elders. At the heart of the event was the official inauguration of the “Rumah Sagu Holey Narey,” a community sago processing house supported through collaboration between the Jayapura Regency Government, FAO, and the New Zealand Embassy.
The processing house stands as a practical and symbolic milestone. It represents the ongoing effort to enhance the entire sago value chain, from raw harvesting to modern product development. By integrating traditional extraction techniques with improved tools, the facility helps villagers produce higher-quality sago flour, expand their market access, and preserve cultural practices through community-led management.
Ambassador Taula spoke warmly at the ceremony, emphasizing that sago is not only an emblem of Papua’s cultural identity but also a food of the future—environmentally friendly, nutritious, and highly resilient to climate change. He highlighted New Zealand’s pride in supporting Indigenous economies and acknowledged that Papua’s food security cannot be separated from its cultural foundations.
FAO’s Long-Term Vision: Building a Modern Sago Value Chain in Papua
The role of the FAO during this mission was equally significant. FAO Representative Rajendra Aryal delivered a clear message: Papua has the potential to become a global model for sustainable, culturally grounded food systems—but unlocking this potential requires strategic investment and long-term planning.
In meetings with the Jayapura Regency Government and traditional leaders, Aryal outlined FAO’s multi-year commitment to strengthening sago production and market integration in the region. According to an official report from Antara Papua, FAO and New Zealand have already helped establish processing facilities, refine local production methods, and introduce technologies that improve the efficiency and hygiene of sago extraction.
FAO’s work has generated measurable impact. Through collaborative projects with YOSIBA communities—an Indigenous network anchored in the three Sentani villages—FAO has supported the processing of more than 50 sago palms, resulting in over Rp120 million in income distributed directly to households. These outcomes demonstrate the powerful economic potential of sago when supported by the right partnerships and infrastructure.
Aryal also stressed that sago is gaining international recognition. In a global food expo in Rome, YOSIBA’s sago flour attracted strong interest from international buyers and food experts who were drawn to its gluten-free, low-carbon, and climate-resilient qualities. While the global sago market expands, the challenge, he noted, is ensuring that Papua’s producers are prepared to meet rising demand—both domestically and internationally.
Protecting Sago Forests: A Call from Indigenous Leaders
A common refrain throughout the visit was the urgent need to protect Papua’s sago forests from land conversion. Traditional leaders, including Ondofolo Ramses Wally of Babrongko, reminded visitors that sago groves are sacred and must be defended not only for economic reasons but also to safeguard the cultural identity of the Sentani people.
Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda delivered a strong message during his meeting with the FAO–New Zealand delegation: community involvement is essential, and local landowners must commit to preserving their sago forests. Population growth, infrastructure expansion, and commercial pressures have placed increasing stress on traditional sago lands. Without proactive protection, the very resource that is now receiving international attention could be endangered at home.
The Regent emphasized that government and community cooperation is critical in maintaining a balance between development and environmental guardianship. For Papua, sago forests are not simply agricultural assets—they are living ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate water systems, and maintain cultural continuity.
Challenges and Opportunities: The Road Ahead for Papua
While the visit brought optimism, it also exposed several structural challenges that remain unresolved. Papua’s rugged geography complicates transportation and distribution. Limited access to capital stifles small-scale producers. The lack of modern drying and packaging facilities restricts the durability of sago products. And despite growing awareness, sago still competes with rice and other mainstream commodities in Indonesia’s national food system.
However, the opportunities are equally significant. Sago is emerging globally as a sustainable crop with a minimal environmental footprint. Its ability to grow naturally without fertilizers makes it ideal for climate adaptation strategies. With growing interest from health-conscious consumers worldwide, Papua has the chance to transform sago from a local staple into an international food product.
This transformation, however, must be guided by local ownership. Partners like New Zealand and FAO offer technical expertise, global networks, and long-term guidance—but the drive must come from the people of Papua themselves: the farmers, Indigenous leaders, women’s cooperatives, young entrepreneurs, and local governments committed to safeguarding and modernizing their ancestral food systems.
Conclusion
As Ambassador Taula and the FAO team concluded their mission, they left behind a renewed sense of possibility. From the rice fields of Merauke to the sacred sago groves of Sentani, the visit revealed the tremendous potential of Papua’s local food systems—not only to strengthen food security but also to foster cultural pride, economic inclusion, and sustainable development.
The message from this journey was unmistakable: Papua’s strength lies in its traditions, and by empowering those traditions with modern support, Indonesia and its global partners can help build a food-secure, culturally grounded, and ecologically resilient future.
