PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – Professor Yanto Santoso, a senior faculty member at the Faculty of Forestry, IPB University, stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to expand palm oil plantations should not be categorized as deforestation if it utilizes degraded state forests.
“If the land used consists of degraded or non-forested state forests, then this plan does not fall under the category of deforestation,” Yanto said in an official statement on Monday (January 13, 2025).
Yanto emphasized that for palm oil expansion to avoid being labeled as deforestation, a combination planting system must be implemented. He proposed that 70% of the land be dedicated to palm oil cultivation, while the remaining 30% should be planted with native forest species such as meranti, ulin, or ebony.
“If this system is applied, it could even be classified as reforestation since the degraded forest areas would be transformed into plantations comprising both palm oil and native forest species,” he explained.
He also stressed the importance of avoiding monoculture practices to reduce ecological risks. A combination planting system, he argued, is more sustainable and supports environmental balance.
Currently, Indonesia has approximately 31.8 million hectares of non-forested or degraded forest land. Yanto pointed out that these areas often become sources of problems like forest fires due to poor management.
“Forest fires frequently originate in neglected lands. Managing these degraded forests for palm oil cultivation can be a safer and more productive solution,” he added.
Yanto also highlighted differences in the definition of deforestation based on international and Indonesian standards. Internationally, deforestation is defined as the conversion of forested areas to non-forested areas, regardless of ownership. In Indonesia, deforestation is defined as the change in the function of forest areas into non-forestry uses, such as for industry, plantations, or agriculture.
Based on these definitions, Yanto argued that President Prabowo’s plan may not qualify as deforestation, particularly if degraded forests are used and the composition of forest plants is maintained.
To mitigate criticism of the plan, Yanto urged the government to provide transparent and detailed explanations.
“Open communication is crucial to help the public understand that expanding palm oil plantations does not necessarily mean deforestation, especially when conducted with a sustainable approach,” he concluded. (P2)
