Harian Ekonomi Neraca, 17 May 2018
Palm oil industry is effective in reducing poverty because many smallholder farmers depend on palm oil, which gives a large chain effect. Agriculture sector is very important in Indonesia and palm oil gives large contribution, Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said during the international conference themed “Eradicating Poverty Through the Agriculture and Plantation Industry to Empower Peace and Humanity” at Pontifical Urban University, Rome, Italy. As many as 41% of oil palm plantations in Indonesia are managed by smallholder farmers. There are 2.3 million oil palm farmers that make a living for 6.9 million people. Moreover, palm oil industry employs 5.5 million direct workers and 12 million indirect workers, Luhut said.
