Fast food boom benefits farmers

Fast food boom benefits farmers

BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: The growing, lucrative fast food business in the province has boosted potato farming in the Dieng Plateau in Wonosobo regency and its surrounding areas.

Owners of fast food restaurants, such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, now opening outlets in the region have demanded that farmers increase their supplies, Banjarnegara Regent Nurachmad said.

Star-rated hotels and food industries have also increased their demands for potatoes, he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The regency now produces some 15 tons of potatoes for every hectare of its 4,750 hectares of potato farms. It also exports some 85,000 tons of potatoes every year. (wah/swe)