Silk output set at two tons

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expects to produce an average of two tons of silk thread per annum in the current Sixth Five Year Development Plan (Repelita VI) period, a senior Ministry of Forestry official said.

Director General for Reforestation and Land Rehabilitation Hendarsun Suryasanusiputra said after opening a seminar on the development of natural silk and bamboo here yesterday that currently the state-owned Perhutani forestry firm has started a number of natural silk production projects in South Sulawesi, West Sumatra and Aceh, while a private company has started establishing a similar project in South Sulawesi.

He said the silk industry was difficult to develop extensively in Indonesia because it flourishes best in regions where indigenous societies have a tradition of using natural silk as part of their culture. (pwn)