UNDP to aid soybean seed project

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)