Legislators support peat land mega-project<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislators yesterday supported the government's
\nplan to convert one million hectares of peat land into rice
\nfields in Central Kalimantan but stressed that thorough studies
\nwere needed to ensure the mega project was a success.<\/p>\n
Members of the House of Representatives' Budgetary Commission
\nvoiced their support in a hearing yesterday with members of the
\nIndonesian Peat Society.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, the chairman of the society, Bambang
\nSetiadi, acknowledged that by opening up the peat land, Indonesia
\ncould reduce its imports of several important commodities, such
\nas soybeans, corn, peanuts and rice.<\/p>\n
\"The import value of the commodities, which total some Rp 4
\ntrillion (US$1.74 billion) per annum, can actually be used for
\ncultivating those crops on peat land,\" Bambang said.<\/p>\n
The giant project is part of the government's efforts to
\nrejuvenate the country's self-sufficiency in rice.<\/p>\n
Indonesia used to be the biggest rice importer in the world
\nbut became self-sufficient in 1984. Rice exports exceeded imports
\nuntil 1993, but the country had to start importing again in 1994.<\/p>\n
That year rice production fell to 46.6 million tons -- the
\nlowest level in 15 years -- from 48.2 million tons in 1993. The
\ndecline was caused by unfavorable weather and plant diseases.<\/p>\n
Bambang pointed out yesterday that in spite of the
\ngovernment's optimism over the project, several aspects should be
\nstudied thoroughly.<\/p>\n
Authority<\/p>\n
\"The society believes that a special authority for the project
\nis needed, considering the size of the project is almost 10 times
\nthe size of Singapore,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also reiterated that the most important aspect of the
\nproject was not the opening up the one million hectares of peat
\nland but increasing the land's fertility.<\/p>\n
\"Without increasing the land's fertility, we cannot expect
\ntransmigrants, who are expected to be the tillers, to be willing
\nto work in the area. Otherwise, we will surely face serious
\nproblems... Peat land must be tilled immediately after it is
\nexposed,\" Bambang said.<\/p>\n
He also considered research an important part of the project
\nbecause special treatment would be needed to cultivate vegetation
\non the highly acid peat moss.<\/p>\n
\"The project needs sound and careful management. If it fails,
\nwe will be criticized, particularly by the international
\ncommunity,\" he warned.<\/p>\n
During yesterday's hearing legislators questioned Law No.
\n24\/1992, which declares peat land a protected area.<\/p>\n
But Bambang pointed out that another regulation, Presidential
\nDecree No. 32\/1990, specifies that the protected areas are
\nlimited to those which have a moss layer of at least three meters
\nthick and are located on the upstream areas of rivers.<\/p>\n
Legislator Sulaiman Biyahimo, from the United Development
\nParty, said the project should be located in various areas, and
\nnot limited to a single plot of land, to prevent large amounts of
\ndeforestation.<\/p>\n
Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said earlier
\nthis week that 60 percent of the peat land intended for the
\nproject consisted of forests.<\/p>\n
The area overlaps with the concessions of 15 forestry
\ncompanies. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-support-peat-land-mega-project-1447893297",
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