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