Kalimantan farmers get buffaloes

PANAJAM, East Kalimantan: One thousand families yesterday began receiving a contribution of 1,200 water buffaloes from the government aimed at helping them improve their rice harvest.

The first batch of 614 buffaloes were presented Tuesday to farmers at Rawa Sembakung, just outside Balikpapan, by deputy governor Suwarna Abdul Fatah.

The next batch of buffaloes are due to arrive sometime next month.

The water buffaloes will be used to help farmers till the land.

"So far farmers have depended on human energy and so the crop yields have not been optimal. It is hoped that this assistance will help farmers achieve self-sufficiency," Suwarna said. (42)