Arso 14 Area, Skanto District, officially proclaimed as a Durian agro tourism.

The announcement was made by the Acting Head of Keerom Regent, Dr. Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun, SE, MM, at the initiation of the Pasundan Papua Community.

"This is a smart idea in seeing the opportunities that exist, the government cannot work alone, needs support from all parties to build the economy," Ridwan said in Keerom, Saturday (11/28/2020).

He also praised the contribution of Pasundan citizens who he considered to have taken an active role in keeping the security situation in Papua conducive. Therefore Ridwan advised that it could be improved.

Currently, Ridwan added, there is a national economic recovery program due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The initiative to build agro-tourism areas is considered very appropriate to be applied because so far the concept does not exist in Papua.

"Surely this agro-tourism is a new one in Papua but it has globalized. I hope this can be developed and continued throughout Papua and West Papua," Ridwan said.

Chairman of the Pasundan Association in Papua, M. Irianto Pawika, explained that in the meantime there are 12 hectares of land that will be developed into agro-tourism areas.

Where previously, the area was used as a California Papaya plantation, because of its low economic value, he took the initiative to plant Durian Montong and Porang seeds.

"In the meantime we all have 70 families, if each head of family plants 20 seeds, there are 1,400 seeds planted," he explained.

Irianto added that the seeds are obtained independently. So he hopes the Government of Keerom through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries can support by providing Durian seeds and Porang.

After this, all aspects needed for the area to become agro tourism will be prepared.

"Our supporting facilities will be prepared, either independently or also if there is support from the government, this while waiting for the seeds planted to bear fruit, the estimate is 4 years," he added.