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JAKARTA – The acceleration of Indonesia's People's Palm Oil Revitalization Program (PSR) is identified as a critical factor for enhancing productivity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the nation's vital palm oil industry. To achieve these goals, the program's rapid implementation necessitates robust support through targeted affirmative policies.
Professor Budi Mulyanto, Head of the IPB University Palm Oil Study Center, highlighted the urgent need for PSR acceleration. He noted that numerous smallholder palm oil plantations, constituting a significant portion of the country's total, have reached an advanced age of 25 years or more, leading to a substantial decline in productivity. This situation directly impacts the availability of raw materials essential for Indonesia's national palm oil industry.
Prof. Mulyanto underscored that a limited supply of raw materials would severely impede the success of the palm oil downstream program. He emphasized that the development of downstream industries must be synchronized with the strengthening of the upstream sector within the national palm oil industry.
'This rejuvenation of oil palm is very important. Currently, almost 50 percent of Indonesian oil palm is people's oil palm, and most of the plants are old. If it is not rejuvenated, how can we talk about the downstream program? Because production determines downstream,' he stated in a written statement received by VOI on Saturday, August 15.
The IPB University Professor explained that an affirmative approach is key to expediting the PSR Program. He expressed hope that such policies would offer special treatment and ease for smallholder farmers, particularly concerning various administrative and legal land constraints.
'Accelerating the palm oil rejuvenation program for the people requires affirmative policies related to land legality issues. Affirmative policies must be based on the principles of certainty, usefulness, and justice,' he elaborated.
Budi Mulyanto assessed the performance of the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) as highly effective in implementing the PSR Program. This positive evaluation stems from the program's utility for farmers, its contribution to environmental sustainability, and its role in maintaining the broader national palm oil industry.
He added that BPDP's distribution of support funds for the smallholder palm oil rejuvenation program has been exemplary, adhering to principles of prudence and responsible governance. 'In providing funding support for the PSR Program, BPDP has been very prudent. The principle of prudence applied by BPDP is very important,' he affirmed.
Djono Albar Burhan, Head of International Relations for the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association (DPP APKASINDO), acknowledged that the PSR Program, as executed by BPDP, has delivered tangible benefits to farmers by boosting the productivity of their palm oil plantations.
Djono Albar Burhan further explained that the PSR Program presents farmers with an invaluable opportunity to regenerate crops while simultaneously increasing production through the adoption of certified seeds or seedlings and the implementation of superior plantation management practices.
'Of course, we palm oil farmers are very helped by the rejuvenation program. In the midst of declining productivity when the age of the palm tree is above 25 years and also productivity below 10 tons per hectare per year, rejuvenation is one solution to increase productivity,' he explained.
Djono expressed his hope for simplified PSR Program requirements for smallholder farmers, believing that such ease would significantly accelerate the program's implementation across Indonesia.
He stressed the necessity for cross-sectoral collaboration, involving both central and regional governments, to streamline farmers' participation in the PSR program. Furthermore, Djono called for greater certainty for palm oil farmers, especially regarding land legality issues. 'There needs to be certainty for palm oil farmers because currently there are still issues related to land legality,' he concluded.
Source: VOI.ID