InfoSAWIT, WEST KALIMANTAN — According to Bambang, Deputy for Plant Quarantine at the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), palm oil is often cornered by negative global campaigns, particularly on environmental and water-use issues. “Some say palm oil wastes water, but the opposite is true. Oil palm is actually the most efficient crop in absorbing and utilizing water. Its evapotranspiration process even helps cloud formation and maintains the water cycle,” he explained.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to build a positive image of Indonesian palm oil on the global stage. In the near future, Bambang is scheduled to attend a meeting with the Dutch government in Rotterdam to discuss cooperation opportunities in palm oil marketing and diplomacy in Europe. “We want Rotterdam to become the gateway for Indonesian palm oil into Europe, while also reversing the negative perceptions that have developed so far,” he said optimistically.
Bambang also expressed appreciation for the role of the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), which since 2016 has channeled substantial funds to support smallholder palm oil farmers. These funds have been allocated for smallholder replanting programs, research, human resource development, and promotion.
“In the past, BPDP funds allocated to farmers were very small—less than one percent of total collections. But now they have increased significantly, and the benefits are tangible,” he noted. As an example, in 2016 only around 240 hectares of smallholder land were replanted. A year later, the program expanded to more than 20,000 hectares and was later targeted to reach up to 185,000 hectares.
Beyond replanting, BPDP also provides scholarships for farmers’ children, supports the development of plantation infrastructure, and funds research into sustainable palm oil cultivation technologies.
“All of this represents concrete evidence of the state’s commitment to small farmers,” he added.
Bambang also highlighted the importance of land governance for smallholder palm oil plantations to ensure clearer legality and land ownership. According to him, many palm oil plantations are still located within forest areas or overlap with company concessions.
“I recommend that palm oil lands—both private and smallholder—be promptly organized. The government, through the Ministry of Forestry and related institutions, needs to accelerate the resolution of land status so farmers can obtain land certificates and access financing,” he said. He emphasized that this step is crucial to ensuring fairness and legal certainty for all plantation business actors. (T2)
Source: InfoSAWIT Magazine, November 2025 Edition
