InfoSAWIT, SAMARINDA – M. Samsun, a member of Commission III of the East Kalimantan Provincial Parliament, stated that the palm oil sector provides more benefits than drawbacks, despite ongoing criticism regarding deforestation issues. This statement was made in response to the controversy surrounding President Prabowo Subianto's remarks, which were perceived as supportive of palm oil expansion.
"When considering the benefits versus the drawbacks, I am confident that the benefits outweigh the negatives," said Samsun, a politician from the PDI Perjuangan faction, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from KBRN RRI on Wednesday (January 15, 2025).
According to Samsun, East Kalimantan has significant potential for palm oil industry development. With government policies promoting biodiesel use through the B20 to B80 programs in the future, the demand for palm oil is expected to continue rising.
"This is a great opportunity for investors, especially in developing CPO (Crude Palm Oil) factories," he added.
In response to deforestation criticism, Samsun explained that the local government has developed a master plan for plantation area management. This initiative aims to ensure that there are no conflicts between palm oil plantations and other agricultural lands. Additionally, regional clusters have been classified to maintain soil fertility and prevent environmental damage.
"With proper area management, horticultural farming will not be disrupted by palm oil," he added.
The price of palm oil reaching Rp 3,000 per kilogram at the beginning of 2025 is seen as a positive signal for the sector. Samsun believes that this price increase will motivate farmers to develop palm oil plantations, ultimately strengthening the local economy.
- "With this price, farmers will certainly be more enthusiastic about planting palm oil," concluded Samsun. (T2)