Farming project deviates from plan

Farming project deviates from plan

TANGERANG (JP): An integrated farming project, designed to
train farmers in how to run agricultural and fish farming
businesses properly at Carenang village in Cisoka district here,
is not running as well as expected.

Instead of giving training courses, however, the Rp 1.5
billion project, which was inaugurated several years ago by
former Tangerang regent Saifullah AR, is believed to have been
utilized by certain officials of the regency's agriculture office
to further their own interests.

The management of a fish pond at the project, for example, was
entrusted by the officials to local farmers under a 50:50 sharing
agreement.

Other farmers were employed to cultivate cash crops, which
included hybrid coconuts for a fee of Rp 10,000 per day each.
"I'm paid Rp 10,000 per day to tend the trees," Budi, one of the
local farmers, said on Monday.

Indra, an official of the agriculture office, admitted that
since its inauguration not a single course has been held. He said
that 28 farmers were now employed on the project with their wages
being paid on a weekly basis.

Riskomar, head of the agriculture office who is also the head
of the project, could not be reached for comment. (41/hhr)