PALMOILMAGAZINE, SOUTH SUMATRA — Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture is intensifying supervision of palm oil plantation companies to strengthen preparedness against forest and land fires (karhutla) amid forecasts of an El-Nino phenomenon expected to trigger prolonged dry conditions in 2026.
Through direct field inspections in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, the Ministry is ensuring that all fire prevention and response systems in plantation areas are fully operational before the peak of the dry season arrives.
The move follows instructions from Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, who emphasized that preventive measures must become the primary strategy in addressing potential land and forest fires.
Also Read: South Sumatra Moves to Prevent Unfair FFB Price Cuts Amid New Export Rules
“Do not wait until fires occur before taking action. Prevention must be the main priority,” Minister Amran said in a statement on Monday (May 18, 2026).
The inspection was conducted by the Directorate General of Plantations at an integrated palm oil plantation company in Musi Banyuasin on Saturday (May 9, 2026). The activity was led by Acting Director General of Plantations Ali Jamil, accompanied by officials from the Plantation Protection Directorate, the Musi Banyuasin Plantation Agency, and representatives from the South Sumatra Provincial Plantation Office.
“This inspection follows the directive of the Minister of Agriculture to ensure plantation companies are fully prepared to face fire threats, particularly in plantation areas, in anticipation of the potential Godzilla El-Nino phenomenon,” Ali Jamil stated.
ALso Read: Indonesia Calms Palm Oil Market Concerns as Government Protects Farmers and Export Industry
During the inspection, the team carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the company’s fire control task force, human resource readiness, early warning systems, reporting mechanisms, and the availability of fire prevention infrastructure and equipment.
The inspection covered water pumps, personal protective equipment, rubber boats, hoses, fire beaters, water reservoirs, and fire monitoring towers, in line with Agriculture Minister Regulation No. 6/2025 concerning Land Clearing and/or Plantation Land Processing Without Burning.
The activity also forms part of the implementation of Law No. 39/2014 on Plantations and Presidential Instruction No. 3/2020 on Forest and Land Fire Management.
Also Read: Agrinas Palma Nusantara Strengthens Social Commitment Through Qurban Distribution Program
Ali Jamil stressed that field preparedness must continue to be strengthened to enable faster and more effective responses to potential fire outbreaks.
“We want to ensure that all fire control facilities function optimally and are ready for use at any time. Strengthening human resources through regular training is also crucial so officers fully understand SOPs and can respond quickly during emergencies, especially those related to land fires,” he explained.
Based on the inspection findings, the Ministry identified several areas requiring improvement, including strengthening real-time hotspot monitoring systems, adding more fire watch towers, improving maintenance of water reservoirs to secure sufficient water supplies during the dry season, and installing higher-capacity water pumps in reservoir areas.
Also Read: KPBN CPO Tenders Stay Withdrawn on Tuesday (May 26), Malaysia CPO Futures Extend Gains
The company was also instructed to conduct routine maintenance and calibration of firefighting equipment, including water pumps and fire trucks, to ensure operational readiness at all times.
In response to the inspection results, the company’s management expressed commitment to immediately implementing the recommended improvements and ensuring all fire control systems operate effectively.
At the conclusion of the visit, Ali Jamil urged all plantation stakeholders, including companies and smallholders, to heighten vigilance against the threat of forest and land fires linked to the Godzilla El-Nino phenomenon while fully complying with existing regulations.
Also Read: GAPKI Ensures Palm Oil Remains Strategic Amid a Changing World
He further emphasized that, in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 3/2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and regional governments will continue monitoring plantation businesses, facilitate the implementation of zero-burning land clearing practices, and impose administrative as well as criminal sanctions on companies or growers found violating regulations. (P3)
