Jakarta, July 12 -- The Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to increase the agricultural development budget for Papua to accelerate the development of priority commodities, improve farmers' welfare, and strengthen national food self-sufficiency.

"The Papuan people have experienced significant improvements in their welfare. However, they still need additional support. I have proposed an additional budget, and we will prepare it for next year," Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said in a press statement on Sunday.

Previously, the government allocated Rp1.3 trillion (US$69,9 million) for agricultural assistance in South Papua this year.

The funding covers agricultural equipment and machinery, irrigation development, farm ro...