InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Expert Board of Tim Pemenangan Nasional (TPN) Ganjar-Mahfud, Danang Girindrawardana told that palm oil has significant roles in the economy of Indonesia. it is the mainstay export of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivative products. Though it has big potential, the challenges in plantation productivity, sustainability, smallholders’ rights, and big plantations needs solutions.

Until now 40 percent of palm oil plantations are cultivated by smallholders. The rests are cultivated by big private companies and government. Palm oil production tends to decrease in numbers and smallholders’ plantation productivity is low in numbers. The issue – palm cooking oil policy – which is controversial also complicated the situation.

Danang Girindrawardana told that such issues need whole solution that should involve related ministries, the governments, and stakeholders. One effective thing to be proposed is by implementing tax amnesty if there is political will.

“It is important to involve the leaders that would determine policy reformation in palm oil industries. Candidate leaders - Ganjar-Mahfud would play key roles to formulate the policy that would improve credibility of Indonesia and escalate the smallholders’ welfare,” he said in press conference of Petani Sawit Rakyat Dukung Ganjar-Mahfud, that InfoSAWIT and Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit (SPKS) conducted, Thursday (1/2/224) in Jakarta.

He also told the plan to reinforce Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency by escalating the credibility namely in upstream and medium sector by having synergy with related ministries.

"Ganjar-Mahfud offers clear and smart vision in reforming palm oil governance. With the supports from the stakeholders and government, and attention to legal enforcement, Indonesia would improve palm oil situation. By having these, Indonesia is hoped to maintain its dominant roles in palm oil industries in the globe and escalate the smallholders, stakeholders’ welfare in production supply chain,” he said. (T2)