Chairman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), Joko Supriyono, asserted that the Indonesian government and the business community have a strong commitment to achieve sustainable oil palm management. All requirements requested by the United Nations and the international world have been fulfilled.
“I can ensure that the management of the Indonesian oil palm plantation sector is already in accordance with the standards set by the international world including the UN,” Joko said, in the Informal High-Level Discussion at UNDP Headquarters, New York, United States.
Joko, along with the Deputy of Food and Agriculture of the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Musdalifah Mahmud, was speaking at the discussion. In front of the leaders from UNDP and several international institutions, Joko explained the importance of oil palm plantation sector for the welfare of Indonesian people.
“If we look at the trends in the last decade, smallholders plantations have grown more rapidly than the ones owned by private companies,” said Joko.
Regarding sustainability issues, Joko asserted that until now there are 340 oil palm companies, which have obtained ISPO certification (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil). ISPO is a mandatory certification for Indonesian oil palm plantations.
“This is a form of commitment from the government and business community to address sustainability issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy of Food and Agriculture of the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Musdalifah Mahmud said, the people of Indonesia want to gain prosperity as well, just like people in developed countries. “Oil palm plantations have been proven to improve the welfare of our people,” Musdalifah said with passion.
Musdalifah said, 42% of the total oil palm plantations in Indonesia are owned by the community (smallholders). Many of them have been planting oil palm for over a hundred years.
“The income level of oil palm growers could be seven times greater than the average income of those who work in the agricultural sector,” said Musdalifah.
Musdalifah said the oil palm plantation sector have absorbed 4 million workers and will create 1.3 million direct workers by 2020.
(rzk)
Source : https://economy.okezone.com/
