The Master’s Program in Natural Resource Management (PSDA) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura (UTM), in collaboration with the Fakfak District Government of West Papua Province, was organizing an event to develop natural resource potential in Fakfak District from July 29 to August 2, 2024. Dr. Apri Arisandi, Coordinator of the PSDA Master’s Program, stated that this event is part of a series aimed at socializing the postgraduate program and establishing active cooperation with local government staff. The event begun with presentations on the postgraduate program, followed by discussions and the identification of natural resource potential in agriculture, fisheries, and marine ecotourism. It concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Universitas Trunojoyo Madura and the Fakfak District Government. The cooperation encompassed the Three Pillars of Higher Education: Education, Research, and Community Service.
According to Safrudin H. La Sitambah, Head of the Competency Development Division at the Regional Civil Service Agency and Human Resource Development of Fakfak Regency, Fakfak Regency is rich in natural resources both on land and at sea. The mining sector includes quartz sand, coal, and gold; the fisheries sector includes tuna, skipjack, and bonito; the agriculture sector includes corn, cassava, peanuts, and soybeans; the plantation sector includes coffee, cocoa, and nutmeg; and the livestock sector includes cattle, pigs, and goats. Additionally, the region boasts extraordinarily beautiful marine tourism, and it is hoped that snorkeling and diving tourism in Fakfak's waters will continue to develop in the future.
The natural resources found in Fakfak Regency, if managed properly, could become a highly promising source of regional revenue (PAD), while also ensuring their sustainability. The development of natural resource potential in Fakfak cannot be achieved instantly; it must be gradual and start with the development of human resource competencies. Once human resources are competent, decision-making and utilization of natural resources will be more prudent. Therefore, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, through its Master’s Program in Natural Resource Management, is engaged as a partner to realize the vision of sustainability in Fakfak Regency.
Dr. Teti Sugiarti further stated that the development of human resources, in addition to education for policymakers, must also be complemented by community empowerment activities to develop the local potential in the coastal areas of Fakfak. Each individual certainly possesses potential that can be developed, including fishermen and their wives. One of Fakfak's prominent marine products is flying fish roe, which is known for its high quality. The price of dried flying fish roe can currently exceed Rp. 800,000 per kilogram. If the fishermen's wives were trained to produce ready-to-consume products, it is certain that the fishermen's income would significantly increase. Moving forward, the empowerment program for coastal women, which involves processing marine products into high-value products, should be a priority. Ultimately, the Master’s Program in Natural Resource Management (PSDA), which is consistently committed to conservation, will continue to support and actively participate in the development of natural resource potential in Fakfak Regency.