Monagro donates corn seeds

JAKARTA (JP): Herbicide and seed producer PT Monagro Kimia donated on Monday five tons of prime C-5 hybrid corn seeds and one tons of Polaris herbicides to farmers whose rice fields and corn plantations have been destroyed by pests.

The donations, worth Rp 100 million, are earmarked for farmers in Tuban, Bojonegoro, Ngawi and Situbondo, whose 200 hectares of rice fields were recently damaged by pests.

Monagro's sales manager Sidi Asmono said corn produced by C-5 hybrid corn seeds was large, more resistant to disease and drought and possessed a stronger stem.

PT Monagro Kimia is wholly owned by U.S. giant chemical company Monsanto Co.. The company, which began operating in Indonesia in 1987, produces popular herbicides and pesticides such as Polaris, Roundup and Spark, which can be used for rice and hard crops. (gis)