JAKARTA – The palm oil has become a strategic commodity, not only in the agriculture and plantation sector, but also in the national economy of Indonesia.

Economically, the palm oil industry has created a multiplier effect at national level, as it has increased total income, job opportunities, added values through various processed products in the downstream industries.

Ecologically, the oil palm plantations have also functioned like forests that are necessary for the protection of environment. The PASPI Monitor, an independent palm oil research institution, said recently in a report that the oil palm plantations have three ecological functions like the forests.

First, the oil palm plantations function as the absorber of carbon-dioxide (CO2).

If compared between the oil palm plantations and the forests in terms of photosynthesis performance, every hectare of oil palm plantation has a net CO2 absorption of around 64.5 tons per year and oxygen release at around 18.7 tons. The forests have a net CO2 absorption of around 42.4 tons per year and oxygen release at around 7.1 tons. That means the oil palm plantations have higher capacity in the CO2 absorption and oxygen release if compared to the forests.

Second, the role of oil palm plantations in harvesting solar energy.

As to its performance in harvesting the solar energy, the oil palm plantations are superior than the forests, as the oil palm plantations are more efficient in radiation energy conversion at 1.7 g/mj, while the forest efficiency is only at 0.9 g/mj. The oil palm plantations are also superior in terms of photosynthesis efficiency, energy conversion efficiency, incremental biomass, and dry materials productivity.

The forests are superior in storing energy (biomass). But, in terms of managing the forest areas to tap more efficient energy, absorb more CO2 and produce more oxygen, then the oil palm plantations are more superior.

Third, the role of oil palm plantations in water management.

Generally, the oil palm plantations have the same functions with the forests in terms of water management for conservation and hydrological functions. Having a production cycle of around 25 years (from initial planting to replanting), then the oil palm plantations have the conservation and hydrological functions for at least 25 years. (*)

Source: Wartaekonomi.co.id | Featured image via thejakartapost.com