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Support for Palm Oil Farmers' Welfare: DPR RI Emphasizes Strengthening the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program



Doc. Special/the Deputy Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abdul Kharis Almasyhari.
Support for Palm Oil Farmers' Welfare: DPR RI Emphasizes Strengthening the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – In an effort to enhance the welfare of palm oil farmers, the Deputy Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, has called for the strengthening and acceleration of the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program (PSR). This was conveyed during a webinar titled “The Fate of the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation: PSN in Limbo,” organized by the Center for Indonesian Reform (CIR) in collaboration with ASASI on Saturday.

Abdul Kharis appreciated the government's efforts in implementing PSR as part of the National Strategic Project (PSN), aimed at improving productivity and the welfare of small-scale farmers. However, he also acknowledged several challenges that need to be addressed to enhance the program's effectiveness.

According to Abdul Kharis, PSR plays a strategic role in promoting increased yields from people's palm oil plantations. “However, several obstacles such as slow fund disbursement processes, suboptimal regulatory harmonization, and the need for technical assistance for farmers must be addressed promptly,” he stated in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Based on the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the realization of PSR by the end of 2023 reached approximately 300,000 hectares out of a target of 540,000 hectares for the 2020-2024 period. To support the continuity of this program, the government has allocated a budget of Rp 5 trillion for 2024.

Farmers registered in this program receive a grant of Rp 30 million per hectare, in accordance with the Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 03 of 2022, which is used for various purposes such as clearing old plantations, purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and maintaining plants until they are 3 years old.

Abdul Kharis emphasized the importance of expediting the grant disbursement process so that farmers can access it more easily. Additionally, he stressed the need for better coordination between the central government, local governments, and other stakeholders to support the success of PSR.

The event involved various speakers from academia, civil society organizations, and representatives of palm oil farmers, emphasizing the importance of concrete steps to address existing challenges. It is hoped that with support from the DPR RI and collaboration from various parties, the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program can operate more optimally and make a tangible contribution to the welfare of palm oil farmers in Indonesia. (T2)


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