InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) PalmCo is optimizing the use of replanting land for palm oil by planting corn as part of efforts to accelerate national food security. This initiative is an implementation of one of the government's Astacita to enhance agricultural land productivity.

The President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo, Jatmiko Santosa, stated in Jakarta on Friday, March 15, that PTPN IV PalmCo, as part of the PTPN group, is executing the government's mandate to utilize land to support food security.

“Since the end of January, the company has been simultaneously planting corn in several work units and partner farmer areas across five provinces: North Sumatra, Jambi, East Kalimantan, West Java, and Riau. To date, nearly 8 hectares of corn have been planted,” Jatmiko said, as reported by InfoSAWIT from Antara on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Corn planting is being carried out using an intercropping system on replanting land and in hiaten areas, which are open spaces in palm oil plantations resulting from vacant planting points. Additionally, in several provinces, corn planting is also being conducted on replanting land managed by smallholder farmers.

Jatmiko explained that utilizing hiaten land with an intercropping system is supported by the fact that corn can grow well under low light intensity or the high canopy of palm oil trees. This allows for optimal land use without disrupting the growth of the main crop.

“This year, out of a total of 20,900 hectares of palm oil plantations being replanted by the company, around 3,000 hectares are expected to be planted with corn,” Jatmiko added.

This initiative is expected to support national food security while also increasing agricultural land productivity in palm oil plantation areas. Thus, this program not only helps diversify agricultural outputs but also provides added value for partner farmers and surrounding communities. (T2)