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President Jokowi’s recent decision in preparing a moratorium issuance of new permits for palm oil plantation draws mixed reaction from Indonesia’s palm oil producers.
While some supports this decision, seen as an encouragement to smallholder farmers to intensify their productivity without adding new plantations, others express concern over the lack of details in the planned moratorium. Many request the government to re-study this plan because it will impact negatively on Indonesia's palm oil industry, one of the country's key foreign exchange earners and a sector that employment to almost 20 million Indonesians.
The new moratorium was issued ,also in effort to protect Indonesia’s remaining forests and peatlands. In response to the 2015 haze crisis, the Indonesian government has been tightening management of its peatlands, establishing a peatland restoration agency and vowing to restore two million hectares of peatland by 2019. The restoration commitment will likely be at the expense of some plantations currently occupying drained peatlands. Would these companies have to abandon or adapt plantation in the face of these regulations ?
In Indonesia today, thousands of communities are involved in conflict with companies, the state or each other, over land involving oil palm expansion .Allegations of abuses are traced back usually to companies with commercial interest . The problems lies in the indigeneous groups lacking documentation for their land claims. Some government initiatives are helping such as “One Map” aimed to integrate conflicting licensing and land maps used by Indonesia’s different agencies. What progress has been made to resolve these conflicts and how can the government and corporate sector work together ?
Meanwhile, unpredictable weather continues to cause havoc for planters. Indonesia's crude palm oil production in 2016 is predicted to drop by 5-10 percent (y/y) due to the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon that brought extreme dry weather to Southeast Asia. However, in several Indonesian regions palm oil plantations are now being plagued by floods giving rise to speculation whether El Nino is to be followed by La Nina. |
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How can planters equip themselves with water management or conservation practices to brace for such challenges ?
CMT brings you the 8th ASIA Sustainable Oil Palm Summit discussing crucial, hands –on issues that grapples the industry currently.
| Key highlights include: |
- Palm Oil price outlook for 2016
- How has the IPOP ( Indonesia Palm Oil Pledge ) progress so far. And what role can it play to empower smallholders towards sustainable practices ?
- Progress of Indonesia’s Peatland restoration and challenges
- Using UAV precision drone mapping for improving yield
- Minimising open burning and haze in peat areas and how can large plantation companies help
- Unpredictable weather and El-Nino – its impact on the palm oil industry
- New planting materials and good agricultural practices
- Red palm weevils – containing the spread
- Bud rot disease – prevention and control
and more ! |
Register now for early bird discounts.
Also register 3 or more to qualify for group fees.
Email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for more details. |
