MIFEE

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Harvesting of newly created paddy field in Merauke, South Papua in 2012/2013 Sawah Merauke 2012.jpg
Harvesting of newly created paddy field in Merauke, South Papua in 2012/2013

Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) is a government-supported project in Merauke Regency, West Papua, Indonesia to develop forested land for food cultivation and energy production. [1]

Contents

It has been characterized as an "ecologically induced genocide" of the indigenous Malind Anim people, based on the concept of a "cultural genocide" focused more on the destruction of a culture than the loss of life, and the fact that core parts of Malind Anim culture are specific to the land on which they live, making them a "territorially bounded culture". Each of the 7 clans of Malind Anim traditionally owns certain land in Merauke: the Malind Anim, their land, and its animals have been described as "inextricably connected and indivisible". [1]

Description

The MIFEE project is expected to cover a 1.2 million hectare area, or a quarter of Merauke. [2] In 2010, up to 90% of the area was still covered by natural forest. [3] Valued at approximately $5 billion, the program aims to increase agricultural output. [4] The project limits foreign investment in plantations to 49%. [2] No amount of crops is reserved for local use. [2] MIFEE involves intensive land clearing. [5]

Indonesian agribusiness conglomerates invested in the project. [6]

Opposition

MIFEE led to a competition between the government and the Malind Anim over the land. [1] Violence ensued. [7] One report claimed that MIFEE involved a land grab. [6]

Indigenous opposition to the project was substantial. [6] Army units were dispatched to the MIFEE area. [6] The number of migrants involved in the project will dwarf Merauke's indigenous population. [8]

Opponents claimed that the project threatens conservation areas, such as virgin forests and water catchment areas, as well as the habitat of indigenous Papuans. [9] There were substantial forest fires. [2] Damage to the natural environment caused by the industrial activities of agribusinesses and palm oil plantations has severely affected the health and food security of these indigenous groups. [4]

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called for a suspension of the project, absent free, informed consent by the indigenous population. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 McDonnell, John E. (3 April 2021). "The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE): An Ecologically Induced Genocide of the Malind Anim". Journal of Genocide Research. 23 (2): 257–278. doi:10.1080/14623528.2020.1799593. ISSN   1462-3528.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jong, Hans Nicholas (30 October 2015). "Food estate project may turn Papua into forest fire hotbed - The Jakarta Post". akartapost.com. The Jakarta Post . Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Longgena Ginting, Oliver Pye (19 April 2011). "Resisting Agribusiness Development: The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate in West Papua, Indonesia" (PDF). Land Deal Politics Initiative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Destroying Local Livelihoods With Mifee | Jakarta Globe". jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ Rosin, C.; Stock, P.; Campbell, H. (2013). Food Systems Failure: The Global Food Crisis and the Future of Agriculture. Taylor & Francis. p. 154. ISBN   9781136529429 . Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Longgena Ginting, Oliver Pye (19 April 2011). "Resisting Agribusiness Development: The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate in West Papua, Indonesia" (PDF). Land Deal Politics Initiative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Reder, M.; Hirschbrunn, K.; Risse, V.; Stoll, G. (2015). Global Common Good: Intercultural Perspectives on a Just and Ecological Transformation. Campus Verlag. p. 171. ISBN   9783593503189 . Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Jiwan, Norman (30 April 2011). "MIFEE must benefit indigenous Papuans, everyone". thejakartapost.com. The Jakarta Post . Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Yulisman, Linda (16 April 2015). "Govt to revive food estate project in Papua - The Jakarta Post". thejakartapost.com. The Jakarta Post . Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Stanley, E.; McCulloch, J. (2012). State Crime and Resistance. Taylor & Francis. p. 95. ISBN   9781136233630 . Retrieved 30 May 2016.


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