InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (Persero) has launched superior oil palm varieties resulting from tissue culture, NUSAKlon 1 and NUSAKlon 2, which are claimed to produce crude palm oil (CPO) yields of up to 12 tons per hectare per year. The launch took place in Siak Regency, Riau Province, and is expected to be a solution for increasing productivity without the need for new land expansion.
The NUSAKlon 1 and NUSAKlon 2 varieties are the result of intensive research conducted by the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS) in collaboration with PTPN IV PalmCo. The productivity of these varieties is claimed to be 30 to 40 percent higher than that of conventional oil palm varieties, which typically yield only 7-8 tons per hectare per year. According to the President Director of PTPN III, Mohammad Abdul Ghani, this innovation is a strategic step in supporting national food and energy security.
“The productivity is significantly higher with a substantial potential for CPO yield. NUSAKlon will be a long-term solution to achieve Indonesia's energy and food security,” Abdul Ghani stated, as quoted by InfoSAWIT on Thursday (December 19, 2024).
The Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia, Aminuddin Ma’ruf, who was present at the launch, expressed optimism that NUSAKlon would strengthen Indonesia's position as a leading global CPO producer. In addition to high productivity, these varieties also have other advantages such as uniform vegetative growth, high-quality oil content, and better yield potential.
“With a productivity potential of up to 12 tons per hectare, NUSAKlon can accelerate the achievement of food and energy independence in a short time,” Aminuddin added.
NUSAKlon began development in 2009 at the PPKS Marihat Tissue Culture Laboratory and has been field-tested since 2016 at the Adolina Oil Palm Seed Garden owned by PTPN IV. The President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo, Jatmiko Santosa, expressed appreciation to the researchers who have worked for 18 years to produce these varieties.
“This variety even has shorter fronds, allowing for an increased number of plants per hectare. With NUSAKlon, the B-100 program is no longer just a dream,” Jatmiko added.
In the future, these varieties will be part of the replanting program for smallholder oil palm farmers (PSR) initiated by PTPN IV PalmCo. This program aims to enhance the productivity of oil palm farmers through strategic partnerships.
The Director of the Research Institute of Plantation Nusantara (RPN), Iman Yani Harahap, described the successful launch of NUSAKlon as a response to the efforts of researchers to support food and energy security. The Head of the Palm Oil Research Center, Dr. Winarna, also emphasized that the somatic embryogenesis tissue culture technology used has brought significant breakthroughs in national oil palm productivity.
“This variety produces 11-12 tons of CPO per hectare per year. We are optimistic that NUSAKlon will be the main solution for improving national oil palm productivity,” Winarna concluded.
The launch of NUSAKlon demonstrates significant potential for Indonesia to maintain its dominance in the global CPO industry while supporting the acceleration of national food and energy security. (T2)