PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – To enhance the development of the plantation sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has issued Regulation No. 3 of 2024 concerning the Development of Agricultural Zones.
One key aspect of this regulation is the establishment of minimum area standards for national plantation zones, with a maximum of 6,000 hectares allocated for oil palm plantations.
Acting Director General of Plantations, Heru Tri Widarto, stated that the determination of national plantation zone locations under Regulation 3/2024 aims to provide legal certainty and promote more effective plantation sector development across Indonesia.
“This regulation is a mandate from existing legislation, requiring each technical directorate general to propose draft ministerial decisions on national zone locations and agricultural zone development,” Heru explained, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday, December 6, 2024, in Jakarta.
The commodities included in the national plantation zone development program encompass oil palm, coconut, coffee, cocoa, rubber, sugar palm, sago, tea, cashew nuts, sugarcane, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. The designated plantation zones must meet certain criteria, such as being managed by smallholders or plantation companies, and having developed agricultural systems that cover cultivation, post-harvest processing, and marketing.
The minimum land area requirements for key commodities include:
- Oil palm: 6,000 hectares
- Tea: 600 hectares
- Sugarcane: 2,000 hectares
- Sugar palm: 2,000 hectares
- Other commodities: 3,000 hectares
Heru emphasized the importance of synergy and commitment from all stakeholders in realizing sustainable plantation development. “The government is fully committed to supporting the growth of the plantation sector in Indonesia. Together, we can strengthen the potential of our national plantations,” he said.
This new regulation is expected to boost productivity while ensuring sustainability in the plantation sector, which remains a vital pillar of Indonesia’s economy. (P2)
