JAKARTA – Indonesia has long used peatland areas for cultivation of oil palm plantations. Not only since recent decades, but even since the Dutch colonial era before its independence in 1945. Such a long period of time has resulted in its long experience and expertise in utilizing peatlands and has enabled it to design an appropriate and sustainable way of cultivating oil palm plantations on peatlands.
Considering its unique characters, Indonesia has given special attention to the conservation of peatlands, both protected and cultivated peatlands. The coordination of peatland policies and management in Indonesia is regulated through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No.1/2016 on the Peatland Restoration Agency. Its scope was then expanded to mangrove forests through Presidential Regulation No.120/2020 on Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency.
The use of peatlands for agricultural activities, including oil palm plantations, has been undertaken for a long time in Indonesia. In fact, the first oil palm plantations in Indonesia were developed on peatland areas in Tanah Itam Ulu, Pulo Raja, and Sei Liput on the eastern coastal areas of North Sumatra and Aceh provinces. The plantations were developed in 1911 during the Dutch colonial era.
It means that the management and technology of oil palm plantation cultivation on peatlands have long been known and implemented in Indonesia.
The development of oil palm plantations on peatlands in Indonesia is based on a national policy, namely the Plantation Law (Law No.39/2014) and the Environmental Management and Conservation Law (Law No.32/2009) which were then based on the Government Regulation No.57/2016 (amendment to Government Regulation No.71/2014) on the protection and management of peatland ecosystems.
Regarding oil palm plantations, Indonesia has applied the agriculture minister regulation no.14/2009 on guidelines for the utilization of peatlands for oil palm cultivation. In addition, at the company level, each company has their own technical guidelines on oil palm cultivation on peatlands based on the prevailing laws.
The above description shows that Indonesia has long had peat governance and oil palm plantation governance on peatlands. The implementation of the governance has been continually improved based on expectation that Indonesia’s oil palm plantations on peatlands will be increasingly sustainable. (*)
Mitos & Fakta Kelapa Sawit –4th Edition (Mitos 7-06)
