Photo: The vibrant ceremony sets the stage for construction activities forming part of the plasma plantation project. Upon completion, the estate will be solely managed by nine indigenous clans in Ulilin District
SOUTH PAPUA – The Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency held a traditional ceremony Thursday (6/25/2026) in honor of the upcoming construction of a local plasma plantation, which, upon completion, will be operated solely by nine indigenous clans.
Leader of the Cooperative and the Koula clan, Richard Nosai Koula, said this project is a long time coming — hence the festivities, which symbolize gratitude to the ancestors.
“We hope land clearing and planting can take place immediately after this ceremony. We’re aiming for 500 hectares in the first year, and more in the second and third years, until we reach 3,700 hectares,” Richard, as he’s called, said eagerly.
Inggyash Ghuzi was founded in 2016 as a platform for the clans to explore entrepreneurial ventures and build collectively-owned businesses. The cooperative now holds a right to cultivate (HGU) for 4,607.2 hectares of land, of which 3,755 hectares are allocated for oil palm cultivation. The remaining 852 hectares will be a High Conservation Value (HCV) area dedicated to environmental preservation, as per the Cooperative’s commitment.
To support the plasma project, Inggyash Ghuzi is working with PT Bangun Papua Luhurkarya (BPL), whose job is to ensure farm development and management are run in line with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Best Management Practices (BMP).
Photo: In attendance were the head of Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation, representative from Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs, provincial, regency, and district government officials, and local community members
Prior to construction, the team went through several steps, said Maria Andini, BPL’s director. These included public briefing, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) signing, partner appointment, agreement signing, HGU licensing, timber cruising, and contractor appointment for land clearing.
The next step will only begin once the HGU for the plantation is issued by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (slash the National Land Agency) through Merauke Regency’s Land Office.
The Thursday ceremony was attended by the head of Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation, a representative from Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs, provincial, regency, and district government officials, and local community members. Their presence demonstrates support for indigenous-run oil palm farms.
“This indigenous-run farm is an exemplary project, and we hope that guidance from BPL will help Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative and the nine clans expand their knowledge, gain better understanding, and develop more skills in oil palm management. This way, the estate can boost community income and well-being,” said Josefa L. Rumaseu, who leads Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation.
Meanwhile, Imakulata Mawun — on behalf of Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs — said this type of plasma plantation is “rare” in South Papua. Nearly all local NES (nucleus estate and smallholder) farms are centrally managed.
“Under a centralized management model, [partner] cooperatives can only receive progress reports and their share of revenue from the company, which built and manages the plasma smallholdings. On the other hand, autonomous management enables cooperatives to fully participate in smallholding operations,” said the Head of the Department’s Cooperative Unit.
Besides the government, local community leaders are also encouraging this community-oriented initiative. Youth representatives Glen Maikuin dan Piyer Basik-Basik expected job creation and better local economy, while stressing the need for prioritizing discussion should issues or disputes arise among the clans.
“We hope this farm can bring real economic benefits and the local government can give us support.”
Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative is a legal entity established by and for nine indigenous Papuan clans in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency. It aims to grow businesses run by the members, and through this plasma plantation, deliver long-term economic impact. (PR)
