InfoSAWIT, BENGKULU – The roadblock by the Forum for the People of Bumi Pekal (FMBP) to PT Agricinal since November 6, 2024, has caused distress among plasma palm oil farmers. Farmers are struggling to sell their Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) to the company and are forced to seek processing mills located far from their plantations.
Abdul Munir, Chairman of the Makmur Mandiri Cooperative (KPMM), stated that the blockade has lasted over a month, severely disrupting the delivery of harvests from plasma farmers. "For a month, our farmers have been unable to sell FFB to Agricinal. We are hindered by the blockade imposed by FMBP," Munir said, as quoted by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday (December 18, 2024).
As a result of the blockade, the cooperative managing the sale of FFB from plasma farmers is facing financial difficulties. The cooperative's income has completely stopped, making it unable to pay employee salaries for the past month. "We have tried to mediate with FMBP so that FFB can enter Agricinal's factory. However, to date, the delivery of palm fruit to PT Agricinal has not been possible. Even if our FFB could be processed at Agricinal, the resulting CPO cannot be released due to the blockade. If this situation continues, what will happen to us? We are being pressured by employees, but there is no income," Munir lamented.
Munir explained that this situation forces plasma farmers to sell FFB to other mills located dozens of kilometers away, increasing transportation costs and reducing their profits. "Many farmers are starting to wonder why the factory cannot accept their harvests. We have had a partnership with PT Agricinal for years, but now everything is halted. Farmers are confused and beginning to lose trust," he expressed.
Moreover, Munir mentioned that most plasma farmers in the area rely entirely on palm oil harvests to meet their families' needs. Prolonged conflict will only worsen the economic conditions of the community. "We want this issue resolved as soon as possible. The impact should not continue to destroy the lives of farmers. We have families to support," he asserted.
According to Munir, the blockade by FMBP prioritizes the interests of certain groups without considering the broader impact on society, especially the plasma farmers. "This action is inhumane. They demand land from the company, but the ones who suffer are the palm farmers. Do they care about us? We are the ones harmed because the road is blocked," he said with disappointment.
The blockade also affects the operational continuity at PT Agricinal, including the processing of FFB into CPO. As Munir revealed, the CPO production that should have been marketed is now stuck due to the blockade.
Munir hopes that this conflict can be resolved through mediation involving all parties, including FMBP, PT Agricinal, and the local government. He warns that if left unresolved, the conflict's impact will widen, harming plasma farmers and threatening economic stability in the region. "We hope the local government and related parties can help find a solution. Farmers should not continue to be victims of conflicts that have nothing to do with them," he concluded. (T2)