BALI – The agriculture ministry reported that until now Indonesia’s oil palm plantation areas already certified with the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) reached 3.65 million hectares (Ha).
Agriculture Minister Syarul Yasin Limpo (SYL) said that the certified oil palm acreage produces a total 22 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO), which are certified with the ISPO.
“Currently, the number of ISPO certificate holders has reached 766 units. Their number has been rising every year. It shows that sustainable palm oil is on the rise every year in Indonesia,” the minister told the 18th Indonesia Palm Oil Conference (IPOC) 2022 in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday, 4 November 2022.
He pointed out that Indonesia’s total production of palm oil reached 46 million tons with a total acreage of oil palm plantations of 16.38 million hectares.
SYL said that the implementation of government regulations on ISPO certification has become a means for the palm oil industry players to realize their efficient and effective businesses.
According to him, ISPO certification has also supported the efforts of increasing Indonesia’s palm oil competitiveness at the global market, preserving the environment and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.
“The ISPO certification will make it easier for palm oil producers to access the global market and raise the price of the certified CPO. This will increase incentives for the palm oil industry players,” he said.
SYL said that the ISPO certification will guarantee the sustainability of palm oil products along their supply chains.
The Indonesian government has implemented the ISPO certification since 2011 based on the agriculture minister regulation No.19/Permentan/ OT.140/3/2011 on guidelines to implement the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.
In 2015, the regulation was revised through the issuance of agriculture minister regulation No.11/2015 on certification system of oil palm plantations.
In 2020, the legal basis of ISPO certification was further strengthened through the issuance of the presidential regulation (Perpres) No.44/2020, which is implemented through the agriculture minister regulation No.38/2020 on the implementation of sustainability certification of Indonesia’s palm oil production.
SYL said the ISPO certification system will be further improved and expanded to the downstream palm oil industries. “Our goal with the ISPO certification is to increase our competitiveness at domestic and foreign markets, where the palm oil has to compete with other vegetable oils,” said the minister. (*)
Source: Investor Daily
