PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto’s call to expand palm oil plantations has received a positive response from Simson Hendro, President Director of PT Konsultan Untuk Rakyat (PT KUR). According to Simson, the President’s initiative should be appreciated as it will strengthen Indonesia’s position as the world’s largest palm oil producer.
Simson made the statement in response to President Prabowo’s remarks at a recent event held at the Bappenas building in Jakarta. During the event, the President encouraged palm oil entrepreneurs not to be concerned about deforestation issues, provided that plantation expansion is carried out responsibly.
“I commend President Prabowo Subianto for his courage in pushing for the expansion of palm oil plantations. Expanding palm oil estates will further solidify Indonesia’s strategic position as one of the largest palm oil producers, especially given the vast land resources available in Indonesia,” said Simson, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Kontan on April 7, 2025.
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As a company involved in facilitating People’s Business Credit (KUR) in the agriculture sector, PT KUR has expressed its readiness to assist smallholder palm oil farmers. Simson has urged palm oil entrepreneurs to join agricultural cooperatives, which would provide easier access to financing.
“We encourage palm oil landowners to become members of palm oil agricultural cooperatives. Once they are cooperative members, it will be easier for us to provide support for accessing KUR funding,” Simson explained.
Furthermore, he stated that PT KUR will also push banks to be more responsive to the disbursement of KUR funds, especially as the government has introduced a guarantee-free KUR scheme.
“With more people joining cooperatives, we hope that banks will be able to immediately realize KUR disbursements without heavy requirements. This is in line with the government’s encouragement to provide People’s Business Credit without requiring collateral,” he concluded.
This move by PT KUR is expected to accelerate the growth of the smallholder palm oil sector and improve the welfare of farmers through easier and more accessible financing options. (P2)
