House to support Maluku food center

House to support Maluku food center

AMBON, Maluku: The House of Representatives (DPR) is considering
supporting the development of a 5,000-hectare agricultural center
in Buru regency as Maluku's future granary.

Maluku Logistics Depot chief R.M. Simatupang sought the
support when a DPR Commission III team under Soetrisno paid a
four-day visit to Ambon and Central Maluku this week to gather
regional input on agricultural development.

"We hope the commission will discuss the matter with the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) in order to secure a special allocation
for this food center project," said Simatupang in Ambon on
Tuesday.

The agricultural program, requiring an investment of around Rp
25 billion (about US$2.8 million), was outlined to anticipate the
conversion of the agency into a state company in May.

By then, Bulog will not only handle distribution, but also
agricultural production. -- Antara