The Sago Crisis in Indonesia: The Hidden Disaster You Need to Know About

Indonesia’s indigenous population, particularly in the eastern region of Papua, is facing a growing crisis of malnutrition and stunting, with severe consequences for the younger generation. The Marind people, who have long relied on their traditional foods for sustenance, are now grappling with the detrimental effects of deforestation and dietary changes that threaten their health, culture, and way of life.

The Silent Crisis: Malnutrition and Stunting

In the remote village of Zanegi, South Papua, cases of malnutrition and stunting have become more frequent over the past decade. Malnutrition, often compounded by infections such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, is particularly severe among young children. One case is of Louise, a two-year-old suffering from malnutrition, whose father was initially hesitant to take her to the village clinic. Sadly, Louise’s story is not unique; numerous children in the area are suffering from stunting, a condition where children’s growth is impaired due to insufficient nutrition.

The root cause of this health crisis lies in the loss of traditional food sources, most notably sago, a starch derived from the sago palm. Once a staple food for the Marind people, sago has increasingly been replaced by rice and ultra-processed foods, contributing to the rise in malnutrition and stunting in these communities. Sago, harvested from the forest, had long been the primary source of nutrition for the Marind. Today, however, it has become a rare commodity, largely relegated to ceremonial use rather than daily consumption.

The Role of Deforestation in the Crisis

The decline of sago production is not only the result of dietary shifts but also due to large-scale deforestation. Since 2009, Medco Energy, a powerful company with governmental ties, has been granted permission to clear vast portions of forest in South Papua for biomass energy production. The forest, once a rich source of food, has been rapidly disappearing, disrupting the Marind’s ability to harvest sago and hunt wildlife.

Moses, a Marind chief, describes the worsening situation: “Food has become increasingly difficult to find, and hunting trips can last for days.” The destruction of the forest has not only affected food sources but has also led to the displacement of wildlife, including boars and deer, which the Marind rely on for meat.

The Government’s Role and the Shift in Diet

While deforestation has certainly contributed to the food crisis, government policies have also played a role in altering the dietary habits of the Marind people. Historically, the Marind thrived on sago and other forest-based foods, but decades of national food policies have gradually replaced these staples with rice. The introduction of rice was part of Indonesia's larger transmigration program, which sought to move people from Java to less-populated areas like West Papua. As a result, indigenous people now make up only 60% of the population in South Papua, with migrants controlling vital economic sectors, including the food industry.

This shift towards rice and processed foods has been supported by government incentives. The focus on rice farming and agricultural programs funded by corporations like Medco has resulted in a growing divide between the traditional practices of the Marind and the imposed food systems. Although Medco’s educational programs aim to teach indigenous people how to farm rice and abandon their reliance on forest foods, many Marind are resistant to these changes. As Bonifacius Gebze, a Marind father, notes, “I don’t know anything about rice. I don’t know how to work the land, the fertilizer, the harvest, and how it can even become rice.”

The Marginalization of Indigenous People

The reluctance of indigenous people to participate in government agricultural programs reflects a broader issue of structural racism and exclusion. In 2024, most students at a vocational school funded by Medco Energy are descendants of transmigrant farmers, with only a small number being Papuan natives. This exclusion from key sectors, including agriculture, only further marginalizes the indigenous population.

Despite their vital role in the preservation of the environment and their traditional knowledge of forest-based food systems, the Marind and other indigenous groups are increasingly sidelined by government policies and corporate interests. In turn, this has led to a loss of autonomy over their land, culture, and food systems.

A Call for Change

The Marind people’s struggles highlight the need for more sustainable approaches to development—ones that respect indigenous rights, preserve traditional food systems, and address the root causes of malnutrition and stunting. The loss of ancestral food sources and the rise of processed foods are not just health issues; they are cultural crises that threaten the very survival of indigenous communities in Papua.

As global attention turns toward environmental sustainability and food security, it is crucial that the voices of indigenous people like the Marind be heard. Their knowledge of sustainable land use and traditional food systems could provide invaluable insights into creating a more resilient and just food system for all.

Conclusion

The malnutrition and stunting affecting the Marind children in South Papua are stark reminders of the destructive impact that deforestation and policy changes can have on indigenous communities. It is imperative that the government and corporations like Medco Energy reevaluate their approach to development in South Papua, ensuring that the rights, culture, and food systems of indigenous peoples are not only respected but actively preserved. Only by working together with indigenous communities can we hope to address the growing crisis of malnutrition and secure a sustainable future for the people of Papua.