The fertilizer industry in Indonesia’s easternmost island of Papua needs supplies of human resources that are in line with industry needs in the area.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that the fertilizer industry in the country’s easternmost island of Papua is part of Indonesia's strategy for its food sovereignty.

President Widodo made the remarks during the groundbreaking of the National Strategic Project for the Fakfak Fertilizer Industrial Area in Fakfak district, West Papua province, on Thursday (Nov. 23).

“We have a population of almost 280 million people. Therefore, we have to be independent. We have to be independent, we have to be truly sovereign in food," the president said as quoted by the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat in a written statement on Friday

Food sovereignty must be achieved to make Indonesia independent in meeting domestic food needs and not depend on other countries, he said, while giving an example that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has disrupted the fulfillment of Indonesia's food needs.

“I was also surprised. What do we take from there? It turns out that 30 percent of our wheat comes from Russia and Ukraine. Fortunately, we get supplies from other countries. This is what we have to think about in the future," he noted.

The head of state reiterated the importance of developing the fertilizer industry in realizing food sovereignty.

“In this process, fertilizer has a very important role. "I often got complains about this when I went to villages, to rice fields where farmers complain about the scarcity of fertilizer. This is something we have to resolve immediately," he said.

In his statement to the media after the groundbreaking, President Widodo explained that food matters are not only about meeting the need for rice, but also about increasing the productivity of the crops planted.

"Therefore, this is a very important part because fertilizer would increase the productivity of the plants we plant, be it rice, be it sugar cane, be it corn, all of them need fertilizer," he said.

Regarding the need for human resources in Papua to support the fertilizer industry, the president believes it is necessary to adjust the supply of human resources in accordance with industry needs.

Reporting by Indonesia Window