PALMOILMAGAZINE, MERAUKE – Koperasi Serba Usaha (KSU) Iska Bekai has announced plans to develop a palm oil plantation in the villages of Distrik Ngguti, Regency of Merauke, South Papua Province, covering approximately 5,657.33 hectares. The initial phase will focus on 1,000 hectares in Kampung Salam Epe and Nakias.
Established on February 13, 2016, KSU Iska Bekai has evolved into an independent cooperative, supported by the Regency of Merauke and other stakeholders. With assistance from PT Tritama Lestari, the cooperative now manages its labor and finances autonomously.
Abraham E. Yolmen, Chairman of KSU Iska Bekai, expressed gratitude to the Regent of Merauke and the 17 clans that supported the establishment of the cooperative, including villagers from the four kampungs: Salam Epe, Nakias, Taga Epe, and Ihalik.
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“The independent cooperation is the pride of Merauke and Papua. It is hoped to be the pilot project for other palm oil independent cooperations in other regions,” Abraham said, as in the official statement to Palmoilmagazine.com, Tuesday (9/7/2024).
The new planting was in many phases, such as, the socialization, the agreement from the villagers, and the selection of contractors. After the new planting, there would be seeding and planting which eventually would be harvesting. KSU Iska Bekai would be committed to implement the sustainable palm oil development standards and good agricultural practices.
Meriana, the officer in Plantation, Horticulture, and Food Plant Agency Regency of Merauke fully supported the initiative and be ready to develop the cooperation from the new planting until selling fresh fruit bunch. “KSU Iska Bekai obeys every government’s regulation, such as, the Regulation of Minister of Agriculture Number 18 / 2021 about People’s Plantation Development Facility and the regulation about 20 percent allocation for the people.” Meriana said.
Head of Plan of Forestry Agency South Papua Province, Yeri Reba emphasized that the area to develop palm oil plantations should be the same with the allocation and should not be in forestry region. The cooperation has paid duties as it is regulated, such as, PSDH-DR (Provisi Sumber Daya Hutan – Dana Reboisasi).
Secretary of Small and Medium Business, Trade, and Industry Agency Regency of Merauke, Miftakhul Azizah hoped KSU Iska Bekai would also deliver advantages for the people around, particularly for the 17 clans from four kampung that become the members of the cooperation.
Iswanto from One Stop Service Agency Regency of Merauke congratulated for the new planting and hoped that there would be transparent plantation management and cultivation.
The figure of the people, Samma did welcome the new planting as the good start and hoped that the cooperation would escalate the villagers’ welfare. “KSU Iska Bekai would be the asset for the people of Merauke. We have to maintain it together and should be the sample inspiration for others to cultivate palm oil plantations through cooperation,” he said.
Edward Ginting from PT Tritama Lestari, the developer for KSU Iska Bekai, sad that the cooperation would be committed to develop sustainable palm oil plantaitons. This would include to conserve forest in high conservation value and implement free prior informed consent (FPIC).
“Every process should be socialized first, and getting agreement from every cooperation member, chairman of clans, heads of villages, indigenous chairman, and local government,” Ginting said. (T2)
