Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has emphasized that the rehabilitation and revitalization of peat-land areas in Central Kalimantan must not repeat mistakes in the management of the peat-land reclamation project in the past.

He made the remarks at Dadahup transmigration location in Kapuas regency, Central Kalimantan province, on Thursday when launching a program for the rehabilitation and revitalization of areas in the location of the former peat-land reclamation project.

Repetition of mismanagement in the peat-land reclamation project in the past must be avoided to preserve natural and economic resources abundantly available in Central Kalimantan, he asserted.

Peat-land reclamation into paddy-fields and plantations that is free from mismanagement will develop Central Kalimantan province into one of the national rice production centers, according to the President.

During the visit to Kapuas regency, the President was accompanied by his wife Mrs.Ani Yudhoyono, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Forestry Minister MS Kaban, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Presidential Spokesman Andi Malarangeng.

The resumption of peat-land reclamation is, in the first stage, started by opening 12,500 ha of paddy-fields in Central Kalimantan?s peat-land areas in the current planting season from April to September, 2006.

The new paddy-fields are located in the areas of the former one million ha peat-land development project covering Kapuas, South Barito and Pulang Pisau regencies and Palangka Raya municipality. The project has doomed to failure because of mismanagement.

The rehabilitation and revitalization program is expected to develop the areas of the former one-million-ha peat-land reclamation project into a rice production center and increase the income of local farmers, including those living in transmigration locations.

The program launching ceremony was followed by dialogue between the Presidant and migrant farmers occupying areas of the former peat-land reclamation project.

On the occasion, farmers who have occupied those peat-land areas since 1995 asked the President for assistance, including the provision of facilities like kiosks the provide production equipment, three-wheeled motorcycles, paddy seeds and vegetable seedlings.

Some of them disclosed that they have so far faced difficulties to obtain fertilizer and pesticide, if available the price is very high. They also need vehicles for the transport of their products to Kuala Kapuas, capital of Kapuas regency.

Before Yudhoyono responding to the farmers' proposals, Central Kalimantan Governor Teras Narang said the provincial administration actually can provide some of those needed by the famers.

Replying to the requests, the President promised he will instruct the minister of cooperatives and small/medium enterprises to visit Kapuas regency and arrange coordination with the local administration for the channeling of aid to small businesses in the regency.

He also asked the Central Kalimantan governor to coordinate the delivery of assistance that can be provided by the provincial administration and that is required from the central government.