InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — In Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan, the journey toward sustainable palm oil is taking steady shape. Regent Aron believes that palm oil is not merely an economic commodity but a pathway toward responsible prosperity—for farmers, communities, and the environment.
Since his inauguration on 19 June 2021, Aron has directed regional policies to ensure the palm oil sector emphasizes not just output but also responsible cultivation. “Over the past two years, we’ve learned that sustainable palm oil cultivation is crucial,” he told InfoSAWIT recently.
Aron’s tone was calm yet firm. For him, sustainability is not a slogan but a necessity that must be translated into policies and tangible actions. Sekadau Regency has begun allocating 20% of its palm oil revenue-sharing funds (DBH) to support certification programs and the distribution of high-quality seedlings.
“We want farmers not just to plant, but to plant correctly—with quality seeds—so their yields remain sustainable,” Aron emphasized.
Still, one issue concerns him deeply: the price of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) for farmers who have obtained Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification. He believes certified farmers deserve price incentives.
“FFB prices for ISPO-certified farmers should be higher. That’s the most tangible form of appreciation,” he said. For Aron, direct price incentives are far more effective in motivating farmers to pursue certification than indirect aid.
In Sekadau, only two farmer groups have begun the journey toward Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. For Aron, this is not the end but the start of a long road toward transformation.
“It’s like planting—you need patience, care, and belief that the results will match the effort,” he said. “We’ll keep pushing for more farmers to join.”
A Leader’s Journey from the Village
Aron’s path to leadership is a story of perseverance. Born on 13 October 1974, he grew up in a humble village in Sekadau’s interior. He attended SDN No. 12 Nyonak, SMP Suparna Senangak Nanga Taman, and graduated from high school in Sekadau before earning his degree at Tanjungpura University in Pontianak.
His political career began at the grassroots level, serving four consecutive terms in the Sekadau Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) before the people entrusted him with the regency’s leadership. (*)
Read more in InfoSAWIT Magazine, September 2025 Edition.
