InfoSAWIT, ACEH UTARA – Hundreds of independent palm oil farmers in five villages in North Aceh Regency are facing difficulties due to damaged production roads used for transporting fresh fruit bunches (TBS). In response to these complaints, the Aceh Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) plans to utilize grant funds from the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) in 2025 for infrastructure repairs.
SPKS Aceh Chairman Abubakar AR revealed that the condition of the roads has worsened with increasing rainfall. This has caused transportation costs for TBS to soar by IDR 300 per kilogram, further burdening farmers amid rising fertilizer and labor costs.
"The damaged roads have drastically increased transportation costs, leading to losses for farmers. We from SPKS Aceh will assist in applying for road repair assistance to ensure it is realized by May 2025," said Abubakar AR to InfoSAWIT on Monday, March 24, 2025.
A total of 350 independent palm oil farmers who are members of the Blessed Flower Peace Producer Cooperative in Cot Girek Village, Cot Girek District, and four other villages—Seureuke, Lubok Pusaka, Buket Lintueng (Langkahan District), and Cinta Makmur (Baktiya District)—manage a total area of 800 hectares. All of these plantations are already productive, with plant ages ranging from 5 to 17 years.
Currently, the cooperative is applying for grant assistance for facilities and infrastructure through the SAPRAS BPDPKS application. Abubakar emphasized that this application must be prioritized for the sustainability of farmers' businesses. He also promised to oversee this process until completion and ensure that no party complicates the disbursement of assistance.
"We will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies, such as the National Land Agency (BPN) of North Aceh and the Forest Area Development Center (BPKH) of Aceh Province, to expedite the technical recommendation process. All requirements outlined in the Director General of Plantation Decision No. 62 of 2023 must be fulfilled promptly," he asserted.
Furthermore, SPKS Aceh also expressed its support for the eight Asta Cita of President Prabowo-Gibran, particularly in the fields of food security and bioenergy. With full support from the government and BPDPKS, it is hoped that the repair of production roads can be realized soon for the welfare of palm oil farmers in North Aceh. (T2)
