PALMOILMAGAZINE, SANGATTA – The East Kutai Palm Oil Farmers Forum (FPKS Kutim) held a spirited consolidation meeting at the Pelangi Room, Royal Victoria Hotel, on Thursday. The event served as a key platform to strengthen collaboration among smallholders, plantation companies, and the local government in building a more sustainable future for the palm oil industry.
East Kutai Vice Regent Mahyunadi, who attended the event in person, expressed his hope that palm oil would become the economic backbone of the region once coal reserves are depleted.
“Palm oil will become the leading commodity when coal is no longer available. That’s why downstream industry development must start now,” Mahyunadi said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com via ProKutim on Friday (April 25, 2025).
Also Read:
He also underscored the importance of responsible management practices by both farmers and companies. Common challenges such as pricing volatility and land disputes, he noted, must be addressed through dialogue and consensus.
“When we face issues with pricing, land conflicts, or overlapping claims, let’s resolve them through open discussion. We must keep exchanging ideas to support the progress of our palm oil farmers,” he added.
Mahyunadi further emphasized the need for consistent access to fertilizers and stable market prices for farmers, while adhering to regulatory frameworks, including environmental compliance through instruments like the AMDAL (Environmental Impact Assessment). Close coordination with local authorities, he said, is essential to prevent conflicting policies on the ground.
Echoing the Vice Regent’s remarks, FPKS Kutim Chair Nasruddin reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to fostering harmony between farmers and plantation companies. He stressed that the forum rejects confrontational approaches and advocates for peaceful conflict resolution.
“The forum will not stay silent in the face of conflict. We encourage communication and dialogue. Independent smallholders are not forest encroachers—they’re simply trying to survive,” Nasruddin said.
He called on plantation companies in East Kutai to open space for dialogue and peaceful solutions to land issues. Farmers, he argued, should be recognized as stakeholders who help safeguard both the investment climate and company assets.
Meanwhile, Asbudi, Chair of FPKS East Kalimantan, reiterated the forum’s broader role in supporting government initiatives and advocating for farmers’ interests in a constructive manner.
This consolidation event marked a strategic step toward reinforcing collaboration between stakeholders—fostering hopes for an inclusive and sustainable palm oil industry in East Kutai. (P2)
