French agricultural group extends aid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): France's Center for International Cooperation in
\nAgricultural Research for Development agreed here on Monday to
\ncontinue giving technical assistance to the Indonesian government
\nfor another five years.<\/p>\n
The agreement was signed by the director general of the
\ncenter, Bernard Bachelier, and the head of the research and
\ndevelopment agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Djoko
\nBudianto.<\/p>\n
Bachelier said it was important that his center continue its
\nresearch collaboration with Indonesia in order to assist the
\ncountry in its recovery from economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
\"We have reviewed our previous cooperation and we have set new
\nresearch priorities considering the changing environment and the
\ncapability of Indonesia's agriculture sector,\" he announced
\nfollowing the signing of the agreement.<\/p>\n
He said the aim of the cooperation remained the same, that is
\nhelp Indonesia produce sufficient foodstuffs and reduce imports.<\/p>\n
Bachelier said the new priorities would take into
\nconsideration the 1997 food crisis caused by El Nino induced
\ndroughts and the economic crisis which severely affected the
\nagriculture and forestry sectors.<\/p>\n
He said the collaboration program would focus on the
\nmanagement of farming requirements, such as fertilizers and
\npesticides, and water management for irrigated agriculture and
\nrain-fed farming, to prevent drought damage.<\/p>\n
\"Priorities will be given to promote rice, soybean,
\nvegetables, fruits, milk and meat self-sufficiency within
\nIndonesia and to increase production of other commodities which
\nhave great potential in the export market, such as palm oil,
\nrubber, coffee and cocoa,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bachelier said the center's projects usually emphasized on
\nimproving the production of estate crops, watershed management,
\nagro-economy and forest inventory.<\/p>\n
He said the center, in cooperation with the ministry's
\nresearch and development agency, would also launch a project to
\npromote agribusiness among smallholders through the improvement
\nof upland farming in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture Soleh Solahuddin said the prevailing
\nimpact of the country's worst-ever economic crisis had made
\nagriculture the primary backbone and engine of economic recovery.<\/p>\n
He said the center's cooperation was important because France
\nhad successfully developed its agriculture sector and had vast
\nexperience in developing the agriculture sector during the
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
The Paris-based center conducts a wide range of agricultural
\nand forestry research projects in Asia and the Pacific region in
\nclose cooperation with host countries. It has been working in
\nIndonesia for over 30 years.<\/p>\n
The center will also sign another memorandum of understanding
\non Tuesday with the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations on
\ncooperation in the forestry sector. (gis)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/french-agricultural-group-extends-aid-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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