The Provincial Government of Maluku has launched a strategic downstreaming initiative for its primary commodities to achieve regional food self-sufficiency and enhance the economic well-being of local farmers. Governor Hendrik Lewerissa stated that this policy aligns with national priorities to establish independence in food, energy, and water resources. Rather than focusing solely on rice, the administration is actively promoting local staples such as sago, cassava, and breadfruit to bolster food security across the archipelago. This integrated approach from production to marketing is expected to drive economic growth while simultaneously reducing poverty and unemployment rates within the province.

A significant portion of this initiative focuses on the vast sago potential in East Seram, which is currently being proposed as a National Strategic Project. Furthermore, the province has been allocated resources for the downstreaming of coconut and nutmeg through partnerships with state-owned enterprises like PTPN I. These efforts are complemented by the development of integrated poultry farming and the mapping of cloves as a historical economic strength of the region. By fostering inter-sectoral coordination and infrastructure support, Maluku aims to transform its raw agricultural wealth into high-value products for the global market. The government remains committed to ensuring that these developments directly impact the long-term prosperity and food sovereignty of the Maluku people.
Source: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5442122/pemprov-maluku-hilirisasi-komoditas-unggulan-untuk-swasembada-pangan