Indonesia: Government to introduce weather-resistant tuber to tackle Papua famine

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government will introduce a high-quality tuber variety that is resistant to extreme weather as a permanent solution to overcome hunger in a number of regions in Yahukimo, Highland Papua province. "The introduction of high-quality tuber variety that is weather-resistant is (to be) carried out in areas where crops have been unproductive due to extreme weather dynamics," Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, informed here on Tuesday . With tuber crops failing due to extreme weather, a famine has been reported in Amuma sub-district, Yahukimo, which has left at least 15 thousand people starving. The government has started distributing staples to a number of affected regions as a short-term solution. In addition to the planting of weather-resistant tubers, the government will also build food warehouses around the affected areas. The high-quality tuber variety was developed through cooperation between the Ministry ...