Antara News·Indonesia·Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:58 AM

Patriot Expedition speeds up food downstreaming in Manokwari: Minister

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Fransiskus, Kenzu

Manokwari, West Papua (ANTARA) - Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said the 2026 Patriot Expedition Program in Manokwari, West Papua, aims to accelerate the downstreaming of local products while improving the quality of human resources.

The program is not only focused on research and studies but also encourages local residents and transmigrants to develop economic potential and flagship products through direct mentoring by a team from Airlangga University (Unair) in Surabaya.

“The development of studies and research will continue, but it must produce derivative products with high economic value,” Suryanagara said here on Saturday.

A range of products have been developed, including matoa fruit (Pometia pinnata) processed into jam, dodol, ice cream, and herbal tea, while palm fronds are used as a raw material for animal feed, and chili and tomatoes are processed into snacks.

“There is also a product made from processed chili sambal that can last a long time, and many more. The team has only been in Manokwari for one month, and the results are very positive,” he said.

Going forward, he said the Transmigration Ministry will continue to monitor the sustainability of community productivity in developing local food potential after the Unair Patriot Expedition Team’s assignment in Manokwari ends.

This is linked to follow-up plans to expand the marketing of local products from Manokwari, which need to be supported by increased industrial-scale production while maintaining quality to compete in the national market.

“If the raw materials are sufficient and production keeps increasing, then a factory can be built with trained local workers,” Suryanagara said.

He said knowledge transfer to local communities is one of the central government’s goals in promoting equitable development from the village level, improving human resource quality, alleviating poverty, and encouraging self-reliance.

He said the success of the Patriot Expedition innovation program depends on support from district and provincial governments in West Papua to ensure that community welfare development can be achieved.

“Papua’s development must come from within. We have discussed this with several Papuan figures, so through the Patriot Expedition, we send top talent to train local communities,” he said.

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