InfoSAWIT, BALI – Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, speaking at the Palm Oil Conference in Bali, highlighted the critical need for collaboration between the government and businesses to support palm oil farmers. He called on palm oil businesses to assist farmers in obtaining high-quality seedlings capable of producing high-grade crude palm oil (CPO).
"We urge GAPKI and all stakeholders to work together in supporting farmers and ensuring they receive quality seedlings to prevent financial losses," Sudaryono stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT via the Directorate General of Plantations' Facebook page, Sunday (9/11/2024).
According to Sudaryono, such assistance would help small-scale farmers achieve better yields, contributing to national food security. As the world's largest palm oil producer, Indonesia plays a significant role in the global vegetable oil industry and provides employment for over 16 million people, including smallholder farmers.
Sustainability was also a key focus at the conference, especially as palm oil is a crucial component in Indonesia's B50 biodiesel program, which uses 50% palm oil as its primary feedstock. The government is exploring further utilization of palm oil as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source.
Heru Tri Widarto, Acting Director General of Plantations, revealed that the government is accelerating its replanting program for aging or unproductive palm trees and implementing an intercropping model combining palm oil with upland rice. "Intercropping is expected to bring dual benefits to farmers," he explained.
In addition, the government is actively promoting the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification to enhance the global competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil products. This certification initiative is part of Indonesia's economic diplomacy, particularly in maintaining palm oil exports to the European Union, which upholds strict standards for palm oil-based products.
Indonesia's policies on food and energy focus on reinforcing self-sufficiency and economic sustainability. Through these strategies, the government aims to boost farmer welfare, meet renewable energy targets, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil. (T2)
