Two Indonesian provinces to be developed for production of processed potatoes

According to a report published by the Asia Pulse agency, Indonesian provinces Jambi and North Sulawesi that have good fertility and climate will be developed into potato production centers for french fries. In the province of Jambi in particular, potatoes used to make french fries would be developed in the districts of Kerinci and Marangin, while farms in North Sulawesi would be developed in Monto Induk, South Minahasa district, director general for horticulture of the Agriculture Ministry Ahmad Dimayati said on Monday. He added that Indonesia should reduce its dependence on imported potatoes suitable for french fry production by producing them in Kerinci and Marangin districts of Jambi and South Minahasa district of North Sulawesi. At the beginning, at least 3,500 hectares of land will have to be provided for the development of potatoes of this variety and another 6000 hectares in Meranging district of Jambi. In the meantime, around 11,000 hectare have been provided in South Manahasa district for the development of the potato variety, Dimayati said. According to him, the government has actually called on the private sector to directly get involved in developing potatoes of this variety in cooperation with foreign investors from Australia and Canada under a private-to-private scheme. The government gave a chance to the private sector to develop horticultural products in the framework of creating self-produced center in the country, he said. Furthermore, Dimayati said that cooperation with investors from Australia and Canada also had to do with the development of French fry seeds expected to be sold to the local farmers. (Source: Asia Pulse Pte Ltd.)