Jambi's Production of Soybean Shrink 38 Pct

Jambi, March 13 (Antara) - Jambi`s production of soybean was estimated to reach only 3,516 tons in dry beans in 2012 down 38 percent or 2,153 tons from the previous year. The Regional office of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) attributed the decline in soybean production to harvest areas being reduced despite an increase in productivity. Head of the regional office of BPS Yos Rusdiansyah said here on Wednesday soybean harvest areas in the province declined 38.44 percent or 1,754 hectares. Productivity rose 0.81 percent or 10 kilograms for hectare, Yos said. In the past three years, soybean production of Jambi has fluctuated , said, adding in 2011 , the production rose 6.56 percent to 5,669 tons in dry beans. The production of 3,516 tons in 2012 contributed 0.45 percent to the country`s total production, or a smaller contribution compared to 0.67 percent in 2011. The island of Sumatra contributed 12.65 percent to the country`s total production of the commodity every year as against Java`s contribution of 50 percent. The country has repeatedly failed to achieve its targets of self sufficiency in soybeans supply . The country remains heavily dependent on import for soybean much needed to feed soybean cake and curd producers Soybean harvest generally takes place mainly in May to August.