AMONG the rice mill owners in Karangsinom in Indramayu, West Java, is one particular name which stands out. Let us call this 42-year-old man Daksa, who has succeeded in his rice-milling business. Not too long ago Daksa was a regular farmer. I own four rice mills, he said when Tempo met him two weeks ago.

Indeed, his life has improved significantly since his farming days. Every day, his rice mills churn out 40 tons of rice. His profit has gone up s