ADB to assist plantations

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)