JAKARTA – The success of oil palm replanting program for smallholders in Musi Banyuasin (Muba) regency in South Sumatra province has made it as a model of replanting in Indonesia, which has created positive impacts for the local oil palm farmers.

Known as the initiator of replanting program in 2017, which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in its Sungai Lilin area, Muba regency has managed to replant a total of 19,186 hectares of oil palm plantations owned by smallholders. “The Muba regency has won rewards and appreciations from a number of institutions for its success in the replanting program,” Agriculture Minister Prof Syahrul Yasin Limpo said when opening the national coordination meeting of palm oil in Jakarta on Monday, 27 February 2023.

“There are three governors and three regents in Indonesia, who are successful in implementing the replanting program in their respective regions. One of them is Muba regent. We highly appreciate your achievements in ushering your respective regions to implement the replanting program with innovations of mentoring model. Muba regency is the best in Indonesia in making such innovation,” the minister said.

According to him, the success of replanting program in one region highly depends on the commitment of its local government. “We hope you can maintain your current achievement. That way we can improve the welfare of our smallholders,” he said.

During the meeting, the minister also underline the importance of implementing the replanting program to increase the productivity and sustainability of smallholders across the country. “The main challenges facing Indonesian growers are low productivity and lower than expected use of agroinputs,” he said.

He pointed out that due to the smallholders’ low productivity, the national average productivity has only reached 3–4 tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per hectare per year. “This could threaten the future of Indonesian oil palm plantations if the growers fail to pursue comprehensive steps. That’s why the government has initiated the replanting program since five years ago,” he said.

According to him, of the total 6.9 million hectares of oil palm plantations owned by the smallholders, at least 2.8 million hectares are already old or more than 25 years in age and in need of replanting. (*)

Source: INDODAILY.CO/okezone.com