President: Exit farmers' garden from forest area

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - President Joko Widodo has ordered the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK) to get the farmers' gardens out of the forest area. After that, the land must be immediately certified for free.

"I have ordered that the plantation enter the forest to be out and to be granted a certificate, but this is specific to oil palm owned by the people. Those who already hold the certificates and present here please lift it up, after this will be more who hold the certificate," said President at the premier planting program of palm oil plantation rejuvenation in Panca Tunggal Village, Sungai Lilin Subdistrict, Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Friday (13/10).

Press-release received from GAPKI said, on the occasion, the President reminded the farmers to seriously follow this palm oil replanting program.

"I need to remind you today is starting to replanting, but next year or early 2019 I will check it. Work with me I must check, is it done or not? Must be checked, agree not? " the President said.

According to him, in Musi Banyuasin 4,400 hectares of old oil palm plantations will be rejuvenated. "The cost is borne by the government, the seeds are given, the seeds for corn crops are also given, what is less?" said the President.

Based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia's oil palm productivity is still relatively low at only 3.7 tons/hectare/ year. Though its potential can reach 8 tons/hectare/year.

The main factor is the condition of oil palm trees, especially those that are old and damaged. In addition, the use of seeds, for some farmers, has not used certified seeds so about 2.4 million hectares palm oil plants need to be rejuvenated.

Oil palm rejuvenation in South Sumatra is conducted for an area of 2,834 hectares for 1,308 households.

"This we start in South Sumatera, next month I will go to North Sumatera, next month to go to Jambi and then to Riau. This year we will concentrate in Sumatera, next year I will push into Kalimantan. We want to work focus to be easy to check, easy to control, "said President.

The President is targeting the people's palm oil plantation to produce up to 8 tons/hectare/year.

"This seed if it is big enough to produce 8 tons per hectare, CPO. Usually, farmers whose trees are now 20-25 years old only produce 2 tons, right? Means 4 times, but the plant is the same as us, should be treated, should be maintained, if the private can, the company can, farmers should also " said President.

In the same place, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution promised the results of the replanting of oil palm plantations in Musi Banyuasin will not be abandoned because it will be absorbed by companies.

"The government has facilitated a joint agreement between local palm oil cooperatives and dozens of companies, there are 26 companies, they will buy (the yield of oil palm plantations replanting)," said Darmin.