InfoSAWIT, JAMBI – Provincial Government of Jambi in 2022 targets to conduct smallholders’ replanting program (SRP) for about 7.500 hectares (ha). Head of Plantation Agency Jambi Province, Agusrizal said, there would be seven districts proposing SRP, they are, Muarojambi, Batanghari, Bungo, Tebo, Sarolangun, Merangin, and Tanjab Barat.

But he hoped, if fresh fruit bunch (FFB) price is still in fluctuation but expensive, many smallholders would be reluctant to get SRP. He thought, the goal of SRP is to escalate their plantation productivity and production. In addition, the plantation trees in Jambi are more than 25 years old.

“If years ago, the companies planted 2o tons per hectare per year, the new seeds could produce 30 to 45 tons per hectare per year. But our smallholders just produced 12 tons per hectare per year. (By SRP), the production would be triple,” he said, as quoted from Metrojambi.

To support the program, there have been superior seeds available because Jambi is one seed producer and has been certified. “There are 67 official and certified palm oil seeds producers in districts and cities in Jambi,” Agusrizal said. There are about 110 smallholders’ groups that proposed to get SRP and the new ones are too.

For information SRP fund that the central government delivered in 2017 to 2022 reached about more than Rp 477 billion that covered 17.888 ha. (T2)