Wiringgambut coffee agrotourism is moving closer to becoming a priority development project in Lanny Jaya Regency, as the local government works to transform the area’s coffee plantations, natural landscape, and cultural heritage into an integrated tourism destination.
The initiative reflects an effort to create greater economic value from one of the region’s agricultural commodities. Rather than relying solely on the sale of harvested coffee, the proposed development aims to connect plantation activities with tourism, education, recreation, and community-based businesses.
The planning process reached an important stage on November 12, 2026, when the Lanny Jaya Regency Government held the second and final Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for the 2026 Coffee Agrotourism Area Study. The meeting took place at the Regent’s Office Hall in Tiom and brought together government representatives, legislators, local leaders, and other stakeholders.
The forum followed an earlier consultation held on September 1, 2026. Together, the two meetings form part of the preparation of a comprehensive development study intended to guide the future design, management, and implementation of the proposed destination.
For Lanny Jaya, the ambition is not simply to establish another tourist attraction. The government wants to create a model in which coffee production, local entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and tourism reinforce one another, with residents of Wiringgambut playing a central role.
Wiringgambut Identified as a Strategic Coffee Tourism Area
The choice of Wiringambut as the proposed location is linked to its agricultural potential, natural conditions, and local cultural assets.
Lanny Jaya is located in the mountainous interior of Papua Pegunungan (Highland Papua), an area known for its distinctive highland environment and agricultural activities. Coffee is among the commodities that the local administration sees as having potential to support regional economic development.
The Wiringgambut District has therefore been identified as a priority location for developing coffee-based agrotourism. Its designation is also reflected in the Lanny Jaya Regency Spatial Plan, known as the Rencana Tata Ruang Wilayah (RTRW), which identifies the area as strategic for this form of development.
Lanny Jaya Regional Secretary Tendien Wenda explained that agrotourism combines agriculture as a tourism attraction with educational activities, recreation, plantations, and the cultural life of local communities.
Speaking during the November FGD, Tendien said the region had natural resources that could be developed into an agrotourism destination, particularly its coffee, which is associated with the distinctive characteristics of Papua’s mountain areas.
He said Wiringgambut had considerable potential because of its favorable natural conditions, promising agricultural resources and cultural richness.
In the government’s view, these elements provide a foundation for developing a destination that could generate new business opportunities, create employment, and contribute to wider regional development.
The approach also seeks to assign coffee a broader role in the local economy. Instead of treating the crop only as an agricultural product, the proposed concept would allow visitors to experience the landscape and activities connected with its cultivation.
From the First Consultation to the Final Study
The development process began with the first FGD on September 1, 2026, at the Regent’s Office Hall in Tiom.
The meeting was opened by Lanny Jaya Regent Aletinus Yigibalom, represented by Regional Secretary Tendien Wenda. It brought together stakeholders to identify the area’s potential, discuss possible development concepts, and establish an initial direction for the study.
Robert Kamo, Secretary of the Lanny Jaya Regional Development, Research and Innovation Planning Agency (Bapperida), represented the agency’s leadership during the initial consultation. He explained that the study was intended to identify an agrotourism model suited to local conditions, develop an inclusive and sustainable community empowerment approach, and establish policy directions for the local government.
The first discussion also considered how agriculture, plantations, forestry, tourism, and local culture could be connected within a single development framework.
Wiringambut was selected as the priority location and potential model for coffee-based agrotourism. The government wanted the study to go beyond identifying tourism attractions and instead provide a practical basis for community participation and long-term economic development.
The second and final FGD on November 12 marked the next stage. Participants received presentations on survey findings and preliminary research, followed by discussions intended to refine the final study document.
The November forum was attended by representatives of the Regional Legislative Council, the regional leadership coordination forum, relevant government agencies, the head of Wiringgambut District, village heads from the proposed development area, religious leaders, community figures, women’s representatives, and youth leaders.
Their participation was intended to ensure that the final concept reflected different perspectives, including local economic priorities, cultural considerations, and the practical needs of communities living in the area.
The two-stage consultation process illustrates the administration’s efforts to establish a planning foundation before moving toward implementation.
A Grand Design Linking Coffee, Agriculture, and Culture
One of the main objectives of the study is to produce a comprehensive grand design for the agrotourism area centered around Wiringgambut coffee.
The document is expected to serve as a reference for the local government and relevant regional agencies when preparing future programs, policies, and development activities.
In his remarks, Regent Aletinus Yigibalom, whose speech was delivered by Regional Secretary Tendien Wenda, described agrotourism as a development concept that brings together natural resources, agricultural activities, and the cultural identity of local communities.
He emphasized that the area should not be viewed merely as a conventional tourist destination.
“Agrotourism is not only a tourism destination but also a development concept that combines natural potential, agriculture, and community culture through the principles of community-based tourism. The community must be the main actor as well as the beneficiary of the development,” the Regent said in his address.
This principle is central to the proposed model. Local residents are expected to participate in activities connected with plantations, visitor services, agricultural products, and other supporting businesses.
For example, a coffee-based tourism experience could potentially introduce visitors to plantation activities and the agricultural environment while providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs to offer products and services. These are possible elements of the concept, rather than facilities or services already confirmed as operational.
The study is expected to help determine which activities are most appropriate for Wiringgambut and how they can be organized in a way that reflects the area’s characteristics.
By connecting coffee with education and cultural experiences, the local government hopes to broaden the value generated by the plantation sector and create additional opportunities for residents.
Community Participation at the Centre of Development
The Lanny Jaya administration has repeatedly emphasized that local people should not simply observe the development of the proposed destination from the sidelines.
Under the community-based tourism approach, residents are expected to become active participants in the management and economic activities associated with the area.
This could include involvement in plantation-related tourism and the supply of local agricultural products and services for visitors, depending on the final development plan.
Such participation is important because tourism development can generate benefits beyond the main attraction itself. Small businesses, local suppliers, and service providers may also gain opportunities when visitor activities expand.
The regent said the proposed agrotourism area could create employment, improve household incomes, and introduce local agricultural products to a wider audience. He also highlighted the importance of protecting the environment and preserving local culture.
The emphasis on community participation is particularly relevant in a region where agriculture and cultural identity are closely connected to everyday life.
A successful development model would therefore need to recognize local knowledge, respect community priorities, and ensure that residents have meaningful opportunities to take part in decision-making and economic activities.
The final study is expected to help establish an inclusive and sustainable framework for that participation.
Bapperida Sees the Study as a Long-Term Planning Foundation
The Lanny Jaya Regional Development, Research and Innovation Planning Agency (Bapperida) is playing a central role in preparing the study.
Bapperida Head Yemius Kogoya said the final FGD was intended to determine a development concept suited to local potential, formulate an inclusive and sustainable community empowerment model, and establish policy directions and strategies for future implementation.
The agency’s role is significant because the project involves more than tourism promotion. It requires coordination across several areas of local government, including planning, agriculture, infrastructure, economic development, and cultural affairs.
The study is expected to provide a common reference for the relevant regional government organizations, or OPDs, when developing their respective programs.
The Regent also expressed appreciation for Bapperida’s efforts to identify Wiringgambut’s potential and prepare a more structured development approach.
The government hopes the resulting document will help establish a healthy investment environment and encourage investors to consider opportunities in Lanny Jaya’s agrotourism sector.
However, attracting investment will depend on the quality of the final plan, the readiness of supporting infrastructure, the clarity of management arrangements, and the availability of opportunities that can provide sustainable returns.
Infrastructure, Marketing, and Environmental Sustainability
The local government recognizes that turning an agricultural area into a viable tourism destination will require more than a development concept.
During the November discussion, stakeholders identified several challenges that need to be addressed, including planning, infrastructure, marketing, human resource development, and the sustainability of agricultural and tourism ecosystems.
Infrastructure will be particularly important. A destination needs adequate access and supporting facilities if it is to receive visitors and allow local businesses to operate effectively.
Marketing is another consideration. Coffee from Wiringgambut will need to be introduced to wider markets, while the proposed tourism destination will require a clear identity and a strategy for attracting visitors.
Human resource development will also influence the project’s prospects. Local residents may need opportunities to develop skills related to tourism services, business management, product presentation, and the operation of community-based attractions.
Environmental protection is equally important. The proposed development is expected to preserve the agricultural landscape and natural conditions that make the area attractive in the first place.
These considerations will need to be reflected in the final study so that economic activities do not undermine the environmental and cultural assets on which the destination depends.
The government has encouraged participants to contribute constructive recommendations to ensure that the final document responds to local needs and can provide a practical basis for future development.
Coffee as a Source of Added Economic Value
The proposed Wiringgambut destination reflects a broader development opportunity for coffee-producing areas: increasing the value of agricultural commodities by connecting production with other economic activities.
For farmers, coffee remains an agricultural product whose value depends on cultivation, harvesting, quality, and access to buyers. Agrotourism offers a possible additional dimension by creating opportunities for visitors to learn about the product and experience the environment in which it is grown.
If developed effectively, this approach could support a wider local economic chain involving farmers, small businesses, service providers, and other community participants.
It could also help strengthen the public profile of Lanny Jaya coffee by connecting its regional identity with the landscape and culture of the highlands.
Nevertheless, the potential economic benefits will depend on practical implementation. The final study will need to identify realistic development priorities, clarify community roles, and address the infrastructure and marketing challenges raised during the consultation process.
The government has not yet announced a completed tourism facility, an operational opening date, visitor targets, or projected revenue figures. The project remains at the planning and study development stage.
A New Development Opportunity for Lanny Jaya
The Lanny Jaya Regency Government is seeking to build a development model in which agriculture, tourism, and cultural heritage support one another.
The two FGDs held in September and November 2026 have helped establish the initial direction for the Wiringgambut coffee agrotourism study. The next important step is to complete the final document and translate its recommendations into coordinated policies and practical programs.
If the plan can be implemented with sustained community participation, appropriate infrastructure, and environmental safeguards, Wiringgambut could develop into a destination that gives local coffee greater economic visibility while creating additional opportunities for residents.
The initiative also provides a framework for connecting local development priorities with wider investment and government support.
For Lanny Jaya, the ambition is to make coffee more than a plantation commodity. By bringing together agriculture, education, recreation, and local culture, the proposed agrotourism area could become a platform for broader economic participation and the preservation of regional identity.
Ultimately, the project’s success will depend on whether the final plan can deliver tangible benefits to the people who live and work in Wiringgambut. The most meaningful measure will not simply be the number of visitors attracted but the extent to which local communities gain sustainable livelihoods while protecting the agricultural landscape and cultural heritage that make the area distinctive.
Conclusion
The development of Wiringgambut coffee agrotourism represents an opportunity for Lanny Jaya to create greater economic value from its agricultural resources while preserving the cultural identity of its highland communities. By connecting coffee plantations with educational activities, recreation, and local traditions, the initiative seeks to open new opportunities for farmers, small businesses, and other community members.
The next priority is to translate the proposed grand design into practical action through improved infrastructure, local skills development, effective promotion, and meaningful community participation. Environmental protection and respect for local culture must also remain central to ensure that tourism development is sustainable.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative will be measured not simply by the number of visitors it attracts, but by its ability to improve livelihoods and strengthen the local coffee economy. With consistent planning and community involvement, Wiringgambut has the potential to become a distinctive example of how agriculture and cultural heritage can work together to support inclusive economic development in Papua Pegunungan.
Read Also
Papua Tengah Trains Puncak Jaya Coffee Farmers
Papua Tengah Builds Its Coffee Industry for Farmers
GATF Boosts Papua Connectivity and Tourism