Jayapura – The Keerom Regency Government has expressed its readiness to become a primary supplier of raw materials for the Garuda Papua Feed Mill. This commitment is supported by the high productivity of corn farming in Keerom, which currently averages between 7 and 12 tons per hectare.
Keerom Deputy Regent Daud stated that the presence of the Garuda Papua Feed Mill presents a strategic opportunity for local farmers to expand their market access while increasing the economic value of their agricultural products.
According to him, Keerom Regency has long been recognized as one of Papua’s major corn-producing regions, with vast and productive agricultural land. Therefore, the establishment of a livestock feed processing industry in Papua is expected to create a stronger supply chain between the agricultural and industrial sectors.
“With the presence of a feed processing industry in Papua, raw material needs can be met by local regions. This is certainly a great opportunity for farmers to increase production while gaining greater market certainty,” Daud said in Jayapura on Thursday.
He explained that the agricultural sector, particularly corn production, continues to be one of Keerom Regency’s key strengths in supporting food security and community economic growth. The high productivity achieved by local farmers serves as an important foundation for sustainably meeting the raw material demands of the feed industry.
In addition to providing economic benefits for farmers, collaboration between the agricultural sector and the processing industry is expected to reduce dependence on raw material supplies from outside Papua. As a result, distribution costs can be minimized, and the competitiveness of the feed industry in Papua can be further enhanced.
Daud added that the Keerom Regency Government continues to promote farmers’ capacity development through various assistance programs, the provision of high-quality seeds, and the strengthening of agricultural infrastructure and facilities to maintain optimal land productivity.
The establishment of the Garuda Papua Feed Mill is viewed as an important step toward building an integrated agricultural and livestock ecosystem in Papua. Through synergy between local governments, farmers, and industry stakeholders, it is expected to create added value for local agricultural products while opening new economic opportunities for communities.
With its extensive agricultural land and steadily increasing production output, Keerom Regency is optimistic that it can become one of the main suppliers of raw materials for feed mills in Papua, while further strengthening its position as an agricultural hub contributing to economic development in eastern Indonesia.
