ADB to assist plantations

JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to loan US$44 million to Indonesia for the development of plantation crops starting in the 1997/1998 fiscal year.

The loans, which mature after 25 years with a seven-year grace period, will finance 55 percent of the $79.6 million-project.

The remaining 45 percent, or $35.6 million, will come from the government and farmers participating in the project.

According to Director General of Plantations A.R. Tondok, the project will focus on developing and disseminating integrated pest management techniques to plantation farmers.

The project's first stage will focus on five major commodities -- cacao, coffee, tea, pepper and cotton -- in 12 provinces. The project will include training sessions as well as the provision of seeds and farming equipment for 53,000 farmers. (pwn)