InfoSAWIT, PANGKALAN BUN – Efforts to strengthen sustainable palm oil plantation practices continue to intensify. The Kotawaringin Barat (Kobar) Regency Agriculture Agency held an Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) Socialization on Tuesday (9/30) at the Brits Hotel Pangkalan Bun. The event was attended by 50 participants, consisting of palm oil planters and field extension agents (PPL) from various sub-districts in the Kobar area.
The socialization was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding to stakeholders, especially independent palm oil farmers, so that the implementation of ISPO certification can be effective and equitable.
Head of the Kobar Agriculture Agency, Kris Budi Hastuti, underscored the importance of the activity for farmers. “ISPO is mandatory in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 44 of 2020 and Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2025. We hope all participants can understand the regulations and the certification mechanism presented by the speakers from the ISPO Audit Institution,” she was quoted as saying by the Kotawaringin Barat regional government on Sunday (10/5/2025).
According to Kris Budi, the event is also a concrete form of support from the Kobar Regency Government toward accelerating ISPO development, particularly for independent palm oil planters. The program is funded through the Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH Sawit), one of the local government instruments for improving plantation governance.
One participant, Ahmad from Pangkalan Banteng Sub-district, admitted the socialization opened new insights for farmers. “For too long, many of us didn't know where to start to get ISPO certification. The explanation about the requirements and stages of the process is very helpful,” he revealed.
Through this activity, the Kobar Agriculture Agency hopes planters will increasingly understand that ISPO certification is not merely an administrative obligation but a crucial step toward a more sustainable, competitive, and environmentally responsible palm oil plantation. (T2)
