Oil Palm Income Down in Kotabaru

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan 17/1 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Farmers income from oil palm plantations managed by the Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) Gajah Mada in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, received in January, down from Rp4.2 million to Rp 3 million per hectare.

"Revenue from fresh fruit bunches (TBS) for this time fell compared to the previous month. This caused farmers' income also down," said Deputy Secretary of KUD Gajah Mada Narso in Kotabaru, Tuesday.

Despite the decline, some farmers still received income above Rp3 million for a package of plasma plantation by an area of 1.5 ha.

Plasma revenue for December received in January is Rp3 million for Telagasari Village, Block B Rp2.6 million, Sungai Kupang 2 Rp3.5 million, Cantung Rp3 million, Blok E Rp3 million, and Sei Kupang Jaya Rp2.5 million.

Sangking Baru Rp2 million, Rp2.5 million for Pantai Baru, Bumi Asih Rp2.5 million, Pembelacanan Rp2.5 million, Block D Rp2.3 million, and Rp2.3 million for Pulau Panci.

Narso not yet able to predict whether the income of plasma farmers next period will down or up, because they wait TBS crop yields.

Meanwhile, KUD Gajah Mada which has about 5.477 members is managing area of  7.100 hectares plasma plantation, divided into two stages and were in 13 villages in three sub-districts, namely Kelumpang Hilir, Kelumpang Hulu, and South Kelumpang.

Plasma plantation Phase I with an area of  2,100 hectares in the village Telagasari, Mandala, and Suka Maju, while plasma phase II of 5,000 hectares in the village of Plajau Baru, Pulau Panci, Sei Kupang Jaya, Sangking Baru, Sei Nipah, Pantai Baru, Bumi Asih, Sidomulyo and Sei Cantung.