InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Moh. Dazid Kabul, a representative of Sawit Kinabalu Malaysia, highlighted the challenges and opportunities of integrating the oil palm sector with food production, particularly meat, during the International Webinar: Oil Palm Livestock Integration in South Kalimantan on Thursday (12/12/2024).
Dazid pointed out the significant potential of oil palm plantations across ASEAN, including Indonesia and Malaysia, to reduce meat import dependency. “In several ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, over 80% of meat needs are met through imports, with the figure reaching as high as 85%,” he said.
He argued that Indonesia has a better opportunity to address this issue by utilizing oil palm plantations more efficiently. “We can optimize the space beneath oil palm trees to produce local meat without the need for land expansion,” Dazid explained.
Dazid emphasized the importance of a holistic strategy in showcasing the benefits of oil palm-livestock integration to palm oil industry stakeholders. “This integration supports food security while providing economic value. It allows us to produce both palm oil and local meat, creating a dual benefit,” he added.
According to Dazid, nine out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be linked to sustainable practices in oil palm plantations, underscoring the sector's critical role in global development.
Dazid commended Indonesia’s proactive steps in promoting sustainable integration through initiatives such as the Gapensiska program and collaborations between the government and industry players. “The potential for progress is immense. What Indonesia is doing today can serve as a model for utilizing existing resources to meet societal needs,” he noted.
Dazid stressed that sustainable management of forests and oil palm plantations is not merely an economic issue but also a solution to various global challenges. He expressed optimism about the potential for regional collaboration among ASEAN countries, which could strengthen Southeast Asia’s position as a key player in global food and energy sectors.
“With a collective effort, Southeast Asia can demonstrate how to balance economic growth, food security, and environmental sustainability,” Dazid concluded. (T2)
