Irianese sell state cows

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Many farmers here have sold their cows, given to them under a presidential aid program, because many of them did not know how to care the cattle, Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Pattipi said.

The farmers, not knowing the true value of the cow, have either sold or sacrificed the cattle, thinking that it was within their right to do so, Pattipi was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

The cows were intended to help them improve their livelihood and should not have been sold, he said. (emb)