Indonesia to Open 50,000 New Rubber Plantations Until 2010

Jakarta - Indonesia plans to rejuvenate 250,000 hectares of traditional rubber plantations and create 50,000 new plantations starting this year until 2010 in an effort to become the world''s largest natural rubber producer, an industry spokesman said.
Sudarto Mangunkusumo, executive director of the Association of Indonesia Rubber Companies (Gapkindo), said here on Monday the government would provide up to Rp2 trillion for the project.
He said Gapkindo had suggested that the government speed up the issuance of land certificates to the people so that they could have access to bank loans.
Indonesia should be fast in the effort so that it would not lose the momentum, he said, adding that China was already trying to invest in the development of three million hectares of rubber plantations in Indochina to meet its future needs.
"In 25 years, China will have three million hectares of rubber plantations in Indochina. If a hectare could produce a ton of rubber China''s need later will be met. So where will we sell ours," he said.
He said Gapkindo had also suggested that the government provide the seeds for the program.
If the program was successful the country''s natural rubber production would rise from 2.9 million tons in 2010 to 3.5 million tons in 2015.
Based upon data from the National Industry Roadmap 2010 and Vision 2030 of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2005 the country''s natural rubber production reached 2.27 million tons mostly coming from traditional plantations (1.8 million tons) while 210,000 tons from state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara plantations and 222,000 tons from private plantations. (Source:Antara080507)