RI to imports soybeans

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is likely to import around 760,000 tons of soybean this year to meet the nation's demand for the crop, says an official.

A.M. Fagi, the head of the research and development department at the Ministry of Agriculture said Monday that the demand for soybeans is projected to be 2.76 million tons this year, while the country's total soybean production will be around two million tons.

He said the government's program to boost soybean production in the country showed no significant progress as most farmers still considered soybeans as a second-class commodity after rice.

As a consequence, the growth rate of soybean production remains low, at about 3.2 percent per annum. The growth in demand by comparison, is 5.7 percent per annum. (hen)