Perhutani's soybean farm

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)