Swallow breeders seek help

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