Papua Admnistration Seeks Japanese Assistance For Corn, Soyabean Cultivation

Jayapura, Papua (Antara Bali) - The Papua provincial administration has sought the assistance of the Yamagata provincial administration, Japan, for a corn and soybean seed cultivation project.

The Head of Food Crops and Horticulture Office, Papua province, Semuel Siriwa, said on Monday that the office had proposed the development project to the Japanese government.

"If the Yamagata administration and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) are willing, we only need their assistance, because the quality of corn and soybean seeds in Papua is superior," he said.

Siriwa explained that soybean seeds being cultivated as a commodity was currently in high demand in many areas.

"The proposed cultivation is in line with the policy of the Papua Governor, who has opened up an area of 2,700 hectares this year for soybean cultivation," he said.

Siriwa added that these agricultural lands are located in Jayapura, Nabire, Merauke, and Waropen districts.

Earlier, the Yamagata provincial administration had expressed an interest in rice cultivation in Papua.

Papua has vast swathes of land with the potential to cultivate rice, as well as corn and soybean, Siriwa added. (WDY)