Perhutani's soybean farm

NGAWI, East Java (JP): State forestry firm Perum Perhutani will develop a 251.2-hectare soybean plantation in Ngawi, East Java, the company said recently.

The head of Perhutani's Ngawi forest district, Noerhadi Siswoyo, said the soybean plantation was expected to yield 2.88 metric tons of first-grade soybeans per hectare, or 722 tons.

"The soybean production will supply tempeh-chip producers in Ngawi and other cities in East Java," he said, adding that the industry previously had to buy soybeans, the raw material for tempeh, from other provinces and even from overseas.

The soybean plantation will be developed in the Perhutani area by local villagers using agroforestry.

Last week, Perhutani harvested 25.8 tons of soybean from its 12.3-hectare plantation in Ngawi district. (gis)