Jakarta. The government is set to unveil two food warehouses with a capacity of approximately 100 tons each later this year, a senior official said on Tuesday.

These warehouses will serve as a crucial measure to store staple food items in anticipation of potential food shortages in the region, said Muhadjir Effendy, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Muhadjir said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has directed him to ensure that these new warehouses primarily stock edible root tubers, such as cassava, which are favored as staple foods among Papuans.

"Each warehouse will have the capacity to store up to 100 tons of tuber crops, which form the cornerstone of the local diet," Muhadjir explained following a meeting with the president at the State Palace in Jakarta.

"The president has emphasized the importance of preserving the dietary customs and local food preferences of the region. Therefore, the warehouses will prioritize the storage of locally harvested tubers or sourced from external suppliers, focusing on long shelf-life options," he added.

The construction of these two warehouses entails significant budget allocations due to the logistical challenges in procuring materials for their development, Muhadjir mentioned, although specific figures were not provided.

"As you know, construction materials are particularly costly in Papua. Transporting cement to the mountainous regions of Papua requires air transportation, as conventional trucks are unable to access these areas," the minister elaborated.

The decision to establish these warehouses was prompted by reports of food shortages in several districts within Indonesia’s easternmost island, where governmental aid struggled to reach affected areas due to geographical hurdles, Muhadjir revealed.

"We have received reports of starvation in the districts of Agandugume, Onari, and Lambewi. However, logistical constraints have hindered our ability to deliver supplies to these areas effectively. For instance, the nearest drop-off point, Sinak, requires a two-day journey on foot from the affected regions. Therefore, alongside constructing the warehouses, we aim to enhance access routes to Sinak to expedite the transportation of essential goods," Muhadjir said.

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