JAKARTA, June 17 Asia Pulse - The Indonesian agriculture ministry said itwill simplify the licensing procedure for investment in growing oil palmseedlings.The policy aims to boost production of oil palm seedlings and to cope witha shortage in the supply of seedlings, Agriculture Minister AntonApriyantono said.

"We must provide sufficient good quality seedlings to prevent the use oflow quality seedlings," Anton said.

The country needs around 140 million seedlings a year as against localproduction of only 100,000.

It was reported earlier that sales of false seedlings totaled 120 millionin North Sumatra per year. The poor quality seedlings have been blamed forlow productivity in certain areas.

(ANTARA)