Kompas, 10 October 2018
Until October 2018, only 14,792 hectares smallholder oil palm plantations had been revitalized of the total target 185,000 hectares. The figure reflected just a small increase from 13,253 hectares plantations revitalized as of August 31 with a cost of Rp331.4 billion.
The Environment and Forestry Ministry’s Plantation Directorate General should simplify its verification process to cut approval chain for technical recommendation, Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDP-KS) representative Deri Ridhanif said during a discussion on smallholder oil palm plantation revitalization in Pekanbaru, Riau on Tuesday (October 9).
Meanwhile, Indonesian Oil Palm Farmers Association Riau Chapter Head Gulat Medali Emas Manurung said 76% of smallholder plantations owned by members of the association are located within forest areas. He asked the government to give clear explanations about land ownership so that oil palm farmers could receive the Rp25 million revitalization fund from the BPDP-KS.