New crop varieties launched

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Agriculture introduced on Wednesday several new premier varieties of soybean, peanut, green bean, sweet potato, cassava, orange, durian fruit and chrysanthemum flower.

The ministry's Director General of Food Crops and Horticulture Chairil Anwar Rasahan said that the new varieties of food crops were expected to support the country's food security program while the horticultural varieties were expected to boost Indonesian fruit and flower exports.

Chairil said the new varieties of soybean, called Bromo, Argomulyo, Leuser and Kawi respectively, which can produce 1.5 to 2.8 tons per hectare, were less vulnerable to pests and diseases, have stronger stems, and are more environmentally adaptable. (gis)