InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – A project, Trade, Development and the Environment Hub (TRADE Hub) was launched to reveal the impacts of deforestation in association with agricultural commodity trade in many tropical regions. According to its research, 35% deforestation in the globe happened for the demands on agricultural commodities globally.
As quoted from the page of Kabar Hutan, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Fabiana Spinelli said, TRADE Hub Synthesis and Data Officer in the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP WCMC) clarified the findings in an event of regional stakeholders’ consultation in Jakarta, Indonesia on 26 - 27 September 2023. In the consultation, TRADE Hub represented roadmap to reach out fair and sustainable agricultural commodities and wild life trade globally.
Meanwhile, Senior Programme Officer for Nature and Trade, UNEP-WCMC, Lisen Runsten mentioned that the roadmap would be developed by involving deep studies about the trade system challenges which take place, identifying the main stakeholders, and mapping the power dynamic and responsibility in the system.
Senior scientist of Center for International Forestry Research dan World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Herry Purnomo that manages TRADE Hub in Indonesia said the imbalance power between marketers and agricultural commodity producers. He emphasized the connection complexity among the power, economy, and trade in the industries within case sample in palm oil sector.
Edi Suhardi, the representative in sustainability, Indonesian Palm Oil Association said that it is important to implement ethics and principles when having trade. Edi also revealed the gap between certified sustainable palm oil production and market access and hoped that the research result by TRADE Hub would help to harmonize the producers’ will and market demands, create more sustainable palm oil trade.
Mansuetus Darto, General Secretary of Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit to that the smallholders’ roles in sustainable palm oil practices. But he also told it needs to get supports from the government and companies to get partnership and confirm sustainability in district level. (T2)
