Djayanti opens rice fields

Djayanti opens rice fields

JAKARTA (JP): PT Djayanti Group, controlled by timber baron
Burhan Uray, plans to develop 35,000 hectares of rice fields in
West Mimika regency, Irian Jaya.

An executive of the Djayanti group's Irian Jaya division,
Busli Saraka, said yesterday that in the first stage the company
would develop a 300 hectare-rice field in the company's forest
concessions in Mimika.

The company has already opened a 17-hectare rice field in the
area.

"The development of rice fields is badly needed in Irian Jaya
to help the province become self-sufficient in rice production,"
he was quoted as saying by Antara yesterday.

Governor of Irian Jaya province Freddy Numberi said that the
provincial government supported the company's plan and asked the
Djayanti group to involve local people in the rice field
project. (aly)