People told to join agro-estate program

JAKARTA (JP): The government wants people who are interested in the transmigration program to join the agro-estate program through which they can buy land with bank loans.

Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodho told newsmen after a meeting with President Soeharto at Bina Graha yesterday that every transmigrant joining the program will get three hectares of land.

He said that the first trial project for the program is located in Banggai regency, Southeast Sulawesi. It is sponsored by a local businessman, Haji Murad, who has allocated a 1,000- hectare plot for a cacao plantation.

The minister said he was convinced that the transmigrants who join the program will be able to repay their bank loans within four or five years.

Siswono said that cacao has a good market now. "Haji Murad has exported his cacao products to various international markets," he said.

The minister cited oil palm, cashews, grapes and apples as very promising commodities. "So, the program, which looks small, has a great meaning for the people."

The minister also disclosed that 56 out of 2,611 transmigration projects had failed to help transmigrants improve their standard of living due to various difficulties. They included the limited area and fertility of plots of land and flooding.

Some of the projects are located in isolated areas, Siswono said.

He added that President Soeharto had given him three years to overcome the problems.

The minister said the President also asked him to encourage retired servicemen to join the government-sponsored transmigration program.

"So far the government has only transmigrated about 800 retired officers annually," he said.

He added that every year between 16,000 and 19,000 members of the Armed Forces go into retirement. (tis)