PALMOILMAGAZINE, KETAPANG – Martin Rantan, the Regent of Ketapang in West Kalimantan Province, urged the local populace to consider investing in palm oil plantations as part of the regional government’s initiative. This suggestion was made during a community gathering in the village of Sidahari, Lamboy, Subdistrict of Jelai Hulu, held on a football field.
“I have met with investors to discuss the development of palm oil mills. One of these mills is slated for construction in the Subdistrict of Laur, expected to commence in 2024,” he announced, according to a statement from the Leadership Communication and Protocol office at the Ketapang Secretariat, released on Monday, April 29th, 2024.
Rantan further disclosed plans to construct additional mills in the Subdistricts of Tumbang Titi, Marau, and Pesaguan in Matan Hilir Selatan. He emphasized the significance of these constructions in advancing the region’s economic prospects.
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“For palm oil companies want to process fresh fruit bunches (FFB). After that they would process from the people’s plantations. If the mills have been constructed in the sub districts, automatically smallholders’ FFB could be sold to the mills that have no plantations,” he explained.
Martin also explained that the people of Ketapang can develop palm oil plantations in production forests while the companies cannot plant it in forest production.
“The people for many years have been living in Lamboy, Kusik Pakit, Pasir Mayang, Benatu, and others. Automatically, they have to get solution, which is, employment, to get better lives,” he said.
That is why Martin also took the people to plant and develop palm oil because it would be produced for biodiesel, aviation turbin, and other needs. This would locally develop the economy and contribute to sustainable renewable energy development. (T2)