PALMOILMAGAZINE, BOGOR – Efforts to optimize and accelerate the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Program (PSR) have received strong support from key stakeholders in the palm oil industry, including the government. This was highlighted during a discussion with the Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) in Bogor in late January 2025.
Sabarudin, Chairman of SPKS, emphasized the commitment of SPKS members to adopting best and sustainable farming practices as part of the PSR initiative. Despite facing numerous challenges, SPKS continues to collaborate with various parties to enhance productivity.
“SPKS is committed to supporting the government’s PSR program,” Sabarudin stated in a statement to Palmoilmagazine.com in late January 2025.
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Togu Rudianto Saragih, Head of the Cultivation Group at the Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture, also discussed the technical regulations for independent smallholder farmers participating in PSR. He stressed that farmers must have clear legal status and must not cultivate palm oil within forest areas.
“The acceleration of PSR must align with government regulations, including legal compliance and avoiding plantation activities in forest areas,” Togu explained.
Addressing the legal and regulatory challenges faced by independent smallholder farmers, Brigadier General Ratno Kuncoro, Director of Economics at Baintelkam POLRI, assured that the police are committed to assisting farmers in overcoming legal issues that impact productivity.
“Baintelkam POLRI will collaborate with all stakeholders to help resolve legal challenges for independent palm oil farmers,” Brigadier General Ratno Kuncoro stated via Zoom.
Beyond legal concerns, independent smallholders also struggle to access high-quality seedlings. Andi W. Setianto, CEO of ASD Bakrie, expressed his company’s support for providing superior palm oil seeds to farmers.
“We are ready to supply high-quality seedlings to independent farmers, helping them increase productivity from an average of 3 tons/hectare/year to 6-10 tons/hectare/year,” Andi explained.
The PSR program is also supported by funding from the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). The funding allocation has been increased from IDR 30 million/hectare to IDR 60 million/hectare to accelerate PSR implementation for smallholder plantations.
Dwi Nuswantoro, a representative from BPDP, acknowledged the ongoing challenges in PSR implementation but reaffirmed BPDP’s commitment to supporting improvements and stakeholder collaboration.
“BPDP will continue to drive various initiatives to accelerate PSR for independent palm oil farmers, ensuring increased productivity,” Dwi stated.
SPKS expressed gratitude for the strong support from various stakeholders, including the government and Baintelkam POLRI. Sabarudin reaffirmed SPKS’s dedication to continuing PSR acceleration for its members, aiming to enhance the welfare of independent smallholder farmers.
“Thank you to everyone supporting PSR for independent farmers. We hope this initiative will continue to improve their livelihoods,” he concluded at the hybrid discussion held in Bogor on January 24, 2025. (P1)
