Swallow breeders seek help

BOGOR: About 73 people who make a living from raising swallows in Bogor regency have called for the administration to help them develop the business.

Ela, one of the businessmen from Leuwi Karet, Klapa Nunggal district, said they deserved assistance, especially after the administration's planned tax imposition.

He said he had harvested swallow nests on 10 occasions and sold them for between Rp 3 million and 4 million per kilogram to a buyer in Jakarta. The swallow nests can be harvested once every two months to three months. A swallow egg sells for Rp 5,000 each.

An official of the regency revenue agency, Agus Putrono, said that swallows were found in the wild living in caves. There were two caves in the regency where swallows lived. Cibodas cave is managed by the state forestry enterprise. It sold six kgs of swallow nests in its last harvest for Rp 2 million per kg. It could be harvested once every two months.

The other cave, Gajah, is managed by the Suryakencana Military Resort Command. It could produce 4.8 kgs of swallow nests each month with each kg selling for Rp 3.5 million. --JP