UNDP to aid soybean seed project

JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) yesterday signed an agreement on the provision of US$981,825 in grants for the improvement of Indonesia's soybean seed production and marketing in some provinces.

The agreement was signed by Fritz H. Loebus, UNDP's acting resident representative, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Soetatwo Hadiwigeno and Director General of Food Crops and Horticulture Amrin Kahar.

Loebus said the project, which is also intended to support Indonesia's poverty alleviation program, will include a feasibility study for long term soybean seed development as a means of supporting the soybean industry as well as promoting farmers' incomes.

The study will be carried out in South Sulawesi, West Sumatra, Central Java and Yogyakarta.

The project will also help formulate a short term seed program aimed at enhancing the private sector's potential to produce 440 tons of seed.

The project also includes the establishment of a distinctness, uniformity and stability testing facility, operation of seed health testing of soybeans and the training of personnel in the fields.

The UNDP said that the Indonesian government is committed to providing some Rp 1.05 billion ($485,490) for the project. (fhp)