Freeport urged to buy food crops from Papua’s highlands
Monday, December 15 2003 - 01:43 AM WIB
Copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has been urged to buy vegetables and fruits from Papua province’s Central Highlands because local farmers cannot sell them in other areas due to transportation constraints, Kompas daily reported Monday.
Senior lecturer Agus Sumule from State University of Papua said PTFI could buy the agricultural products from Central Highlands to feed around 8,000 workers from the company’s projects in Timika, Papua. They included mustard greens, cabbage, oranges and coffee, which were all produced using organic fertilizers.
Central highlands cover six several regencies including Jayawijaya, Paniai and Puncak Jaya.
Airplanes are the only means for farmers from the areas to transport their products to other places. (*)