934 halal certificates for UMKMs issued in Papua

JAYAPURA — halal certificates for UMKMs in Papua have reached 934 documents by 2026. The figure shows certification is starting to move across six Papua provinces, even though the road to meeting the needs of small businesses is still long.

Ika Putra Virata, head of the Papua Halal Center at the Halal Product Assurance Agency, shared the data in Jayapura on Tuesday. He said mentoring will be accelerated so more small businesses can meet halal assurance requirements and move up a level.

The distribution of halal certificates for UMKMs across six Papua provinces

Of the 934 halal certificates for UMKMs issued, Papua accounted for 139 documents, West Papua 264, South Papua 42, Central Papua 15, Highland Papua 1, and Southwest Papua 473. Southwest Papua led issuance, while Highland Papua had only one certificate.

The breakdown shows certification work is not yet evenly distributed. Some areas are already fairly active in pushing document issuance, while others are still struggling. In Papua, that gap matters because distance between regions, transport access, and limited mentoring services often determine how quickly small business administration moves.

Ika said the achievement sends a positive signal. But he warned that the pace still needs to pick up because the halal certification deadline is getting closer. For businesses that have not prepared, time can feel short. For those that started early, the certificate offers more breathing room as regulations tighten.

“This achievement shows positive progress among UMKMs in meeting halal product assurance regulations. Even so, the pace still needs to increase given that the deadline for mandatory halal certification is getting closer,” Ika Putra Virata said.

Why halal certificates for UMKMs matter for small businesses

For small business owners, halal certification is not just paperwork to file away. The document helps determine buyer trust, especially for food and beverage products. In modern retail, souvenir centers, and digital commerce channels, halal status is often one of the first things consumers check before making a choice.

The effect is real. Products with certificates are easier to place in sales channels that demand certainty about raw materials, production processes, and cleanliness. For Papua UMKMs, this matters because many local products have strong potential, from sago-based foods and traditional snacks to homemade bottled drinks. The flavor is already there. What it needs is a wider doorway.

Ika explained three main benefits of halal certificates. First, the certificate serves as a guarantee of product quality and hygiene. Second, it opens access to wider markets, from modern retail to e-commerce. Third, the halal label strengthens consumer confidence in Papua-made products that want to compete beyond their home region.

“With the halal label, consumers from outside the region will not hesitate to buy products as gifts or for daily consumption,” Ika said. He added that the halal logo on packaging gives buyers a sense of safety and strengthens loyalty. The result can show up in revenue, especially for UMKMs that rely on repeat purchases.

On a practical level, halal certificates also help businesses speak more easily with trading partners. Retailers, distributors, and prospective resellers tend to feel more comfortable when product status is clear. That is why many small businesses see certification not as an extra cost, but as an investment to stay in the market longer.

Mentoring is the key in remote areas

BP3H Papua says mentoring remains the main task. The challenge is not small. Many small businesses are based in remote or border areas, far from service centers and without consistent access to information. In those conditions, the certification process often stalls on simple things: incomplete documents, an unclear flow, or business owners who do not know where to start.

That is why BP3H and the Halal Center at IAIN Fattahul Muluk Papua are committed to keeping mentoring moving. They are strengthening services so business owners do not get stuck halfway through the process. For some UMKMs, the problem is not product readiness. The raw materials are there, and the production process is already running. What they need is only compliance with formal requirements so the certificate can be issued.

“We, the Halal Product Assurance Agency together with the Halal Center of IAIN Fattahul Muluk Papua, are committed to continuing to accelerate halal certification mentoring, especially for UMKM players in remote and border areas,” he said.

The step fits current market conditions. Consumers are increasingly checking ingredients, source materials, and halal status before buying. That habit is not limited to big cities. In Papua, buyers of souvenirs and packaged foods are also beginning to pay attention to the label on the package. One label can change a purchase decision fast.

For UMKMs, this shift means one thing: halal certification is getting closer to a business need, not just a formality. Local products that have long circulated can gain added value when they enter wider markets. Without certification, that chance often slips away.

Impact on Papua’s local market and what comes next

The 934 halal certificates for UMKMs offer a snapshot of Papua’s halal ecosystem as it moves, though not evenly. The number is still far from complete, especially when viewed against the region’s vast geography and the spread of small businesses across six provinces. Even so, the achievement is an important starting point for mapping where support should go next.

In areas where certification remains low, stronger information services and field mentoring appear to be priorities. Without them, businesses in remote locations will keep falling behind. On the other hand, if the process is simplified and mentoring comes closer to the ground, halal certification could become a tool for more equal market access. That is what many Papua UMKMs are looking for.

For readers, especially small business owners, the message is simple: do not delay halal certification. As deadlines draw nearer, early preparation will reduce headaches later. And for Papua’s market, more certified products mean more choices that are clear, safe, and more trusted by consumers.

Looking ahead, attention will be on how quickly mentoring expands in remote areas and whether the number of halal certificates for UMKMs can rise more evenly across all Papua provinces.