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)