Jakarta, Oct. 25 -- The Indonesian government is accelerating the development of new rice fields in Merauke, South Papua, by strengthening support for agricultural equipment, infrastructure, and farmer organizations to increase national food production.

"I will report to the agriculture minister to establish an integrated solution for the paddy field development program, covering the entire process from upstream to downstream, to ensure its smooth implementation," Deputy Agriculture Minister Muhammad Saleh Mustafa said in a statement on Sunday.

Saleh inspected the rice field development project in Muram Sari Village, Semangga Subdistrict, Merauke, on Saturday (October 24). During the visit, he met with local farmer groups to hear firsth...