Japanese soybeans in RI

JAKARTA (JP): An agribusiness company in Jember, East Java, is pioneering the cultivation of a high-yielding Japanese variety of soybean, called Edamame, for export purposes.

Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah, who inspected the cultivation of Edamame soybeans in Jember over the weekend, said the soybeans will be exported primarily to their country of origin, Japan.

Sigit Hendrawan Samsu, director of PT Mitra Tani 27, which cultivates the soybean, was quoted by Antara as saying that his company would export 150 tons of Edamame soybeans to Japan this year.

Japanese demand for Edamame soybeans reportedly stands at 140,000 tons per annum, of which 60,000 tons are imported.

In Jember, Minister Sjarifudin also witnessed the singing of an agribusiness cooperation agreement between Mitra Tani and Jember University. The agreement will enable the university's agro-industry students to use Mitra Tani's facilities for experiments. (rid)