In order to welcome the 2024 Christmas and 2024 New Year (Nataru) celebrations, the Central Papua Provincial Government through the Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Service launched the Cheap Food Movement. This step aims to ensure the availability and affordability of food for the community as well as an effort to control inflation which is quite high in the region.

The Head of the Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Service of Central Papua Province, Frence The Papara, said that Cheap Food Movement is the last initiative this year to support food stability ahead of Nataru.

“We created the Cheap Food Movement in order to ensure food availability and affordability for the community. This is also an effort to control inflation, especially in Nabire and Mimika Regencies,” he explained.

Focus on Availability and Affordable Prices

Frence added that efforts to suppress inflation were carried out by bringing in commodities whose production was lacking, especially in Nabire Regency. One of the main commodities of concern is chili, the availability of which is increased so that prices remain stable and affordable for the community.

In addition to chili, nine other staple foods are also the focus of the Cheap Food Movement program. Distributors are invited to lower prices so that basic necessities are more easily accessible to the public.

Inflation Control and Benefits for the Community

“The main point of this movement is the affordability of cheap food at low prices. This is an effort to control inflation while providing benefits to the community in meeting their food needs,” continued Frence.

With the Cheap Food Movement, the Central Papua Provincial Government hopes that the community can celebrate Christmas and New Year more calmly, without worrying about the soaring prices of basic necessities. This program is expected to be a real solution in maintaining economic stability and community welfare.