goodmorningpapua.com – A Director of the Independent Consultation Foundation for People’s Empowerment (KIPRa), Irianto Jacobus said that his institution succeeded in initiating the development of the fragrant Lemongrass Commodity in Papua.
This was conveyed by Irianto in a Webinar entitled ‘Innovative Products from Fragrant Lemongrass’. This webinar is held by Sustainable Agriculture in Papua (PAPeDA). One of the activities of the Program for Preserving Natural Resources and Improving the Lives of Indigenous Peoples.
According to Irianto, the lemongrass commodity is a local cultural product that is almost extinct because it was colonized, by the expansion of development and utilization of natural resources which tend to be exploitative and can damage all natural resources.
“Because of the KIPRa Papua Foundation is working in Kerong Regency, we see that this exploitation is still ongoing from several companies taking forest products. But then on the other hand, the life of the indigenous people in Kerong Regency, in their daily life, is not yet well developed,” said Irianto Jacobus in Jakarta, Monday (16/8/2021).
Furthermore, he hopes that his community’s concern for lands and nature conservation in Papua will be well received by the community. He confirmed that local residents should not be deceived by unscrupulous businessmen who steadily want to make illegal additions.
Furthermore, Irianto conveyed that the lemongrass plant can produce betel oil which can be processed into various products, one of which is Fragrant Lemongrass Tea. From this fragrant lemongrass, several products can be made with innovative management, for example for loading, hand sanitizer, balm, and also fragrant lemongrass tea.
“That’s what underlies us, the Papua KIPRa Foundation with the support of The Asia Foundation (TAF), we try to encourage the development of the fragrant Lemongrass so that it becomes a community product that they can manage themselves. So that they can increase their economic results,” he added.
Then, the local people of Papua must feel its natural wealth. Natural Resources (SDA) that is there is very fertile and rich. If managed properly it can prosper the local community up to seven generations.
“So, therefore, we look at how the forest can be preserved and protected, but on the other hand, the community also gets economic benefits. Then we tried to organize people in two villages, namely Skanto and Gudang Garam 54,” said Irianto Jacobus.
For information, the fragrant Lemongrass Commodity is one of the plantation commodities that is quite popular today. The benefits of citronella oil are very diverse, including as a raw material for the soap, perfume, cosmetics, antiseptic, aromatherapy, and active ingredients for vegetable pesticides.