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)