HEALTH: GMM Clinic’s dr. Isna Sari checks on a patient. The clinic serves GMM employees and provides free treatment to local communities

TERNATE – That afternoon, Abdul Ghaffur dropped by Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM)’s clinic with complaints of tooth pain, swollen gums, and chewing difficulties.

After a quick round of questions and basic tests, he was prescribed drugs to take for the next few days by the doctor in charge, dr. Isna Sari.

Ghaffur was thankful that the company he works for provides proper medical care for its staff. No longer does he have to take long trips to restore his health.

And it turns out, these free services are not limited to people like him and their families.

Locals in nearby villages are also welcome to obtain treatment without paying a single cent.

“GMM’s clinic… we [really] feel its benefits when our region got [its own] puskesmas (state-run integrated health facility). When the puskesmas runs out of meds, we go to the clinic.”

“And it [the clinic] gives great services, not only for employees but also for the villages around the oil palm plantation,” said Aten Sahiba, a community figure in Sekely Village.

While not charging any fee, the clinic team remains professional. “There’s no difference in treatment between locals and GMM staff. Everyone gets equal attention.”

Sekely community figure Aten Sahiba immediately recognizes the benefits of corporate presence in his town

This facility offers a range of healthcare services, from basic check-ups, maternal and child health exams, labor and delivery, and emergency care.

Its day-to-day operations are handled by dr. Isna and her team of three nurses and one midwife.

The clinic’s fixed operating hours and extensive drug catalog are what draws people in, dr. Isna said.

“Our patients come from nearby villages, [like] Gane, Sekely. Some even come from across the island, from Dora Island. Here, everything is free, the meds and procedures.”

Voluntary health services are a way GMM addresses local community needs in its effort to forge an amicable bond with residents.

“As the company’s PR/CSC officers, we try to be as responsive as possible, ensuring a proper and fast response to any requests or complaints from locals.”

“We have a close relationship with the village government and village members. Everyone is highly supportive of the company and takes part in building stronger ties,” said GMM PR officer Mahdi.

Part of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) is a palm oil company that commits to developing an effective and efficient plantation management system, which also preserves the surrounding environment through the “No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation” program.

GMM strives to establish a work system and environment that promote people development through selection and training programs as well as sustainable development. (*)

Source : tribunnews.com

Photo: Representative of Sorong Productivity & Vocational Training Center presents trainee Vera Linda Kembere with her certificate of completion

BOVEN DIGOEL – Vera Linda Kembere was one of the fortunate few in the indigenous Papuan community to join the non-institutional, competency-based course held by Sorong’s Productivity & Vocational Training Center and Merauke’s Manpower & Transmigration Service.

In this information and communication technology (ICT) vocational program, Vera and her peers received basic Microsoft Office lessons from an instructor from the Manpower & Transmigration Service.

“We learned all the Microsoft Office formulas. We also tried to ask questions if something was unclear during class. I believe this knowledge and experience will be really useful to find jobs,” Vera said.

The course was executed in collaboration with Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, an oil palm plantation corporation in Asiki Subvillage, Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency in South Papua Province.

Participants learned how to operate a computer and use basic formulas in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These skills are applicable at work and have become a main job requirement in almost all industries.

After going through the training for 20 days and passing a competency test, each person was presented with a certificate Friday (7/12) at TSE Group’s training room by course committee representative from Sorong’s Productivity & Vocational Training Center, Surony Bumbungan.

Participants receive a certificate after going through the training for 20 consecutive days

Training committee, participants, and other involved parties take a group photo

“I am pleased to announce that you have all graduated from this course,” Surony said.

Vera and her friends expressed their gratitude, adding that they expected more events like this to continue and help indigenous Papuans improve their competencies. (PR)

Tunas Sawa Erma Group (TSE Group) is committed to contribute to global efforts to reach zero emissions by 2050. (Photo: TSE Group)

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia — As a palm oil plantation company from Indonesia, TSE Group has given its commitment to contribute to global-scale efforts and reach zero emissions by 2050.

This commitment is based on the awareness and belief that net zero emissions are achievable with teamwork and innovation from all players in the palm oil value chain.

To demonstrate such promise, TSE Group uses Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards to define its emissions goals. SBTi is an initiative that develops and promotes scientific methods to align corporate emissions targets with the Paris Agreement.

With this tool, the company will set objectives and take necessary actions to limit global warming to below 1.5°C. TSE Group will also report the progress of these actions in a transparent and consistent manner through the SBTi platform and other relevant mechanisms.

“In the next two years, we will establish near-term and long-term targets, which will encompass all our operational activities and supply chain and take into account carbon sequestration potential from the plantations and forests we manage,” said TSE Group Director Lewy Leunufna in his statement, as reported on Friday (5/5).

The palm oil firm will also adhere to local rules and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. For everyone’s information, NDCs are commitments that each country makes to the Paris Agreement.

In its own NDC, Indonesia vows to cut down emissions by 29% below business-as-usual in 2030, or by 41% with international help.

“We support the government’s efforts to show this commitment [NDC], and we pledge to collaborate with other stakeholders to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy,” Leunufna announced.

TSE Group believes that by taking these steps, it will make a positive impact — not only on the environment and climate as a whole, but also on the local economy and social prosperity, which are reliant on the palm oil industry.

The company hopes to inspire its counterparts to join the net zero emissions movement.

Net zero emissions is where the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere does not exceed the amount of carbon absorbed by Earth’s carbon sinks.

To achieve this state, a transition is needed from the current energy system to a cleaner one, so that a balance is formed between human activities and nature.

The Indonesian government is serious in its undertaking to make net zero emissions possible. At the moment, it is developing a roadmap to help the country face climate change-induced challenges and risks going forward.

(inh)

Source: cnnindonesia.com

Provision of COVID-19 vaccines by TSE for residents living around the company area, Monday (22/11)

BOVEN DIGOEL – PT Tunas Sawa Erma, a business unit of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group supported the government’s program on vaccine equity for the indigenous Papuans who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccines. TSE’s commitment in the acceleration of vaccine equity was carried out in a mobile manner by visiting homes of people living in the Asiki Village, Boven Digoel, Papua, on Monday (22/11).

The mobile COVID-19 vaccination was held for eight days, from November 22 to December 2, 2021, starting at 14.00 until 17.35 WIT (Eastern Indonesian Time). On the first day, at least 40 people participated in the program. The company targeted as many as 150 people will be given the vaccines.

Earlier, TSE’s representatives through the health workers from Asiki Clinic had provided counseling and socialization to residents who haven’t received the vaccines. They provided education that vaccine injection into the body is important in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.

One of the medical personnel from TSE clinic, Dr.  Riski Jumiati, who was responsible for the mobile vaccination activity, provided information to the community about the benefits of vaccines and the side effects that may occur. “The administration of the vaccines needs to be done to improve our immune system, especially to prevent the COVID-19 virus entering our body. There may be a few side effects that will occur, but as long as they are still reasonable, it is fine,” she explained.

The residents appreciated the vaccination activity and thanked TSE for providing information on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines for their bodies. They also appreciated the vaccination program from TSE which is held periodically and for its willingness to directly visit the community.

One of the residents in Asiki, Maria Salome, hoped to be able to keep receiving other healthcare services from TSE.

“We hope this contribution is not only limited to the provision of COVID-19 vaccines, but also provision of other healthcare services. Thank you to TSE and the doctors who have helped with the healthcare services as well as socialization, because we heard rumors if we receive COVID-19 vaccination, we could die. But PT TSE has provided explanation that the rumors are not true,” he said.

Health Workers Providing Counseling and Socialization on the Importance of COVID-19 Vaccine for the Body

The General Manager of TSE, Martehn Pare said that the company would continue to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination program which has now become the government’s priority, “We will strive to give the best for the health of residents living in the company area and cooperate with related parties such as the National Armed Forces and National Police officers to help with the security as well and the success of the vaccination in order to reach more people,” said Martehn.

TSE Group’s intensive efforts to help the government’s priority program in pandemic handling has been carried out for a long time. Previously, TSE held a COVID-19 vaccination program for Boven Digoel community in June and early September 2021. The number of vaccines distributed at that time reached 900 doses out of the total 2.750 doses, which have been provided to several regions in Boven Digoel.

It is hoped that the COVID-19 vaccine equity can create herd immunity, so that people in Boven Digoel, Papua will be able to remain productive during the pandemic. (pr)

“Albert Yoku, the Chairman of DPW APKASINDO of Papua said Greenpeace should not spread false data and hate that will have an impact on people.”

JAKARTA, SAWIT INDONESIA – Greenpeace’s criticisms towards Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the event of COP 26 in Glasgow, Monday (October 1, 2021) was considered crossing the line. Oil palm smallholders considered Greenpeace Indonesia has provided false data to the public regarding deforestation, forest fires, and renewable energy.

“The Indonesian government has been doing very well in paying attention to environmental, economic, and social balance. We have experienced it. Speaking of deforestation, Greenpeace should show the validity of the data in the past seven years. When it comes to land fires, it has been proven that land fire management in the last 3 years has been increasingly better. In fact, Germany, the United States, and Australia suffered from fires and floods frequently. Why does Greenpeace keep silent,” said Albert Yoku, an oil palm farmer from Papua.

He stressed that Greenpeace should not spread false data and hate. President Jokowi has conveyed data on the government’s achievements in regard to the decrease in deforestation rate and forest and land fire management.

“Meanwhile what data did Greenpeace GP use and what they have been doing all this time is only shouting and working based on projects by foreign donors. If you want to shout, it should start truthfully from yourself, be open to the public about where Greenpeace’s fund comes from this whole time, who finance them?” asked Albert, who is also the Chairman of DPW APKASINDO (Indonesian Oil Palm Farmers Association) of Papua Province.

He said the regulation in Indonesia requires a transparency of funding sources for NGOs including Greenpeace. As children of the nation, Greenpeace should be ashamed because they can only shout.

“Try and provide a solution for oil palm farmers in Papua who experience difficulties in rejuvenating the plants and developing the plantation. Help us improve the income of the community. We need to eat and send our children to school, for receiving healthcare, we, Papuans also have the right to live more prosperous with the resources of our nature,” he said.

Dr. Gulat Manurung, the Chairman of the DPP APKASINDO explained that the oil palm farmers appreciated the speech of President Jokowi in COP26 in Glasgow. Indonesia proved its ability to maintain the balance between the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The proof is the world has turned around and accepted concepts of sustainability such as RAN KS (National Action Plan on Sustainable Oil Palm), the concept of intensification of oil palm through PSR, and increase in human resources of farmers and scholarships for the farmers’ children.

“Regions that often experience forest fires currently have reached near zero percent such as in Kalimantan and Sumatra. This success is due to the president’s firmness in the concept of prevention and action, and we all enjoy that,” said the fastest masters graduate from the Field of Environmental Science, University of Riau.

“All oil palm farmers in Indonesia in 145 DPD Regencies and Cities of APKASINDO from 22 DPW Provinces of APKASINDO are grateful because they can carry out activities without having to deal with smoke. Because fires can interrupt an optimal photosynthesis process of the plant,” Gulat said.

“Currently, oil palm farmers already enjoy the policies from President Jokowi, due to the soaring price of FFBs,” he explained.

Gulat expects environmental NGOs to not only criticize. Help the country ask the developed countries to fulfill their promise, such as Norway.” For farmers, trillions of grants from Norway can help oil palm farmers to subsidize fertilizers or even set up a fertilizer factory, now that would be great. If you only shout ‘you must’ anyone can do that,” he said.

He said Greenpeace must be honest in publishing their data.”Don’t do it by order, especially when the data is already in public domain. Because this issue will have an impact to the people who do not know the actual data.”

The New and Renewable Energy (EBT) Program is the kilometer zero of energy independence and all of the raw materials are in Indonesia. Moreover, the issuance of Job Creation Law in late 2020 has convinced the world more that Indonesia has raised its bar as the frontline guard of the balance of the said three aspects of dimensions, that’s why palm oil is “peace and green”,” Gulat said with smile.

Prof. Yanto Santosa in the YouTube channel Togar Podcast, said that NGOs are necessary as a counterweight. As long as it goes in line with intention, motive, and valid data. ”Therefore, the country must be sovereign, don’t be afraid of the pressure from the NGOs,” he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asserted that the success of the climate control in Indonesia could be achieved because Indonesia put climate action in the context of sustainable development. Consideration on environmental aspects with the economic and social aspects should be integrated. The forestry and land sector in Indonesia will achieve Net Carbon Sink by 2030. That is Indonesia’s commitment to be a part of the solution. “Indonesia’s real achievement in the forestry sector cannot be denied.

This was conveyed by the president while being one of the speakers at the World Leaders Summit on Forest and Land Use, held at the Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday (02/11/2021).

In front of the world leaders, the president explained that the social forestry program was made for forest conservation alongside the creation of livelihoods for the local community. This is important, because 34 percent of all villages in Indonesia are located at the border area or in the forest area.
“Millions of people in Indonesia depend their lives on the forestry sector. Denying it is not only unrealistic, but also unsustainable,” he said.

President Jokowi said that 90 percent of the world population live in extreme poverty depending on forests. Misuse of the climate change issues as trade barriers is a big mistake. “It will erode the trust of the international cooperation to overcome climate change, and instead hinder sustainable development that is truly needed,” he added.

Therefore, President Jokowi assessed that the forest management in the framework of sustainable development to be the only option. Indonesia is ready to share experience and knowledge for it. “Let us conduct forest governance that is pro-environment, pro-development, and people-centered. This is the main goal of Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade Dialogue or FACT Dialogue, which is co-chaired together by Indonesia and the United Kingdom so that the forest will be a sustainable solution for a global climate action,” he encouraged.

In 2020, the rate of forest fires reduced down to 82 percent,” he revealed. In addition, in 2019, the emission reduction from forests and land use were pressed down to 40.9 percent compared to 2015. Deforestation in Indonesia also reached the lowest level in the last 20 years.

“This was done when last year, the world lost 12 percent of primary forest compared to the previous year and while many developed countries were experiencing the largest forest and land fire throughout history,” he explained.

Source : sawitindonesia.com

Reduction of GHG (CO2) from Various Types of Raw Materials for Biodiesel Compared to Diesel Emissions (European Commission Joint Research Centre)

Jakarta, Gatra.com – Various studies using Life Cycle Analysis, both in Indonesia and Europe, showed that substituting diesel/solar fuel with palm oil-based biodiesel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from a diesel machine around 50-60 percent.

Even according to the European Commission, if the palm oil based-biodiesel is produced from palm oil mills using methane capture, the reduction of GHG emissions can reach 62 percent.

The result of a research done by Mathews and Ardyanto (2015) also supports the European Union’s finding that the use of palm oil-based biodiesel as a substitute for diesel can reduce GHGs above 60 percent.

The GHG emission savings due to the use of palm oil-based biodiesel are higher than the emission savings obtained from the use of biodiesel made from rapeseed oil, soybean oil, or sunflower oil.

In other words, the use of palm oil-based biodiesel as a substitute for diesel can reduce more GHG emissions compared to the use of biodiesel made from soybeans, rapeseed, or sunflower oil.

Source : gatra.com

President Joko Widodo reading out a speech during 2021 Annual Session of People’s Consultative Assembly of Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) at Nusantara Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (16/8/2021). Jokowi admitted that the Baduy traditional clothing was specifically prepared by Jaro Saija, the traditional elder of Baduy community and Head of Kanekes Village. (Liputan6.com/Angga Yuniar)

Liputan6.com, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the palm oil industry has provided benefits for the lives of Indonesian people. The results of the national palm oil production have been used for various healthy food products, new and renewable energy, and daily products.

“Palm oil has provided many benefits for the lives of Indonesian people as healthy food products, new and renewable energy, as well as various products for our daily needs,” President Joko Widodo said in the recording video of the signing event of the Research and Development Agreement between BPDPKS and the Research and Development Institute, Jakarta, Thursday (19/8).

The head of state conveyed that the palm oil industry had become a driving force for people’s economy. From helping improve the living quality of rural communities, helping millions of small-scale plantation farmers come out of poverty, and providing access to education and information technology.

President Jokowi said that now is the time for people in the world to recognize Indonesia’s seriousness in changing the palm oil industry for the better. This is done by implementing the best practices and sustainable elements in various aspects along the palm oil industry chain.

“I will continue to ensure that this industry upholds the commitment in sustainable palm oil management to create a better tomorrow,” he declared.

“I believe with a responsible palm oil industry and sustainable management, we will embrace a better future,” he concluded.

Source : liputan6.com

Illustration – A number of local farmers carrying oil palm harvest into trucks to be transported to the mill. ANTARA FOTO/Septianda Perdana/pd/aa

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Palm oil industry is committed to create jobs and help alleviate poverty in Merauke and Boven Digoel, Papua by absorbing workers from Indigenous Papuans (OAP).

Director of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, Luwy Leunufna on Wednesday in Jakarta said that since the last three years, more than 2,400 workers from Indigenous Papuans (OAP) have been absorbed and will continue to grow along with the company’s expansion.

Through this worker absorption, it is hoped that the income distribution of the Papuan people can increase and their welfare can continue to improve in a sustainable manner,” he said in a written statement.

He continued by saying that overall, the employment in TSE Group has reached around 8,400 people, of which 2,400 people or 28.96 percent are indigenous Papuans.

“Currently, we are striving so that this ratio could continue to rise. Many indigenous Papuan workers hold important and strategic positions, from section heads, assistant managers to plantation managers,” he explained.

According to Luwy, with the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR) of Rp4.2 million in Merauke, that means there is a fund of Rp35 billion being distributed to employees every month.

“That allocation provides a multiplier effect for the development of the region, and this does not include taxes,” he said.

Previously, the Head of Capital Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service of Merauke Regency, Justina Sianturi said that oil palm plays a role in the development and investment in Merauke Regency by absorbing workers as many as 2,474 indigenous Papuans.

“People receive income from plasma plantations and improve their economic state while new opportunities for employment are opening up,” she said.

Another role of oil palm is the community empowerment which can drive the community’s economy as a place to market the harvest from their smallholding plantations, repair the environment, and increase community insight and knowledge.

Papuan community leader, Revd. Albert Yoku acknowledged that oil palm plantation did play a role in reducing unemployment and creating new job opportunities for thousands of people from various ethnic groups.

Another benefit is that is generates income for commnunity as customary rights owners and community around the oil palm plantations, because palm oil is the drive for regional development due to high invesments in capital that revolves around oil palm plantations.

“With these benefits of oil plam, it will be easier for us to educate the community. As a result, the negative campaign against palm oil can be overcome and people will not be easily influenced (by negative campaign),” he concluded.

Journalist: Subagyo
Editor: Budi Suyanto

Source : antaranews.com

Indigenous Papuan girls. Higher education paving the way towards empowering women

I met Kristina Kamuyen, Feronica Samkarai and Serasilva Samkarai, Betty Boyen and Marsela Wayoken at their dormitory in Merauke, Papua where they were attending Musamus University.

Getting to Merauke city in the Indonesian province of Papua was no easy journey. Papua and its sister province of West Papua are restive regions where journalists are restricted from entry. Demands for independence from Indonesia is a simmering issue that boils into fatal conflicts often enough that both provinces are under a travel advisory by most foreign governments. No travel unless absolutely necessary. The risks were made worthwhile when I met the girls from a scholarship program funded by a local company.

They were your typical giggly girls who spoke softly but according to their caretaker, were a lively bunch among friends. What is remarkable about these girls is that they are daughters of impoverished families from the remote village of Ngguti and are indigenous.

Papua province is unique among Indonesian provinces. It has more in common with Australia than the rest of Indonesia. This includes its tribal peoples all the way down to tree kangaroos and cassowaries. As its easternmost province and one that is separated from the main islands of Java and Sumatra, development has come late. It shares a long border with Papua New Guinea which is an independent nation that has been exhaustively exploited by foreign companies for its natural resources.

A marked difference between the two regions is that life seems to be better in Papua and these girls are a good example of that. Despite their shyness, there was a striking confidence in their attitude. This was surprising as the patriarchal societies of New Guinea meant that violence against women was a common thing. This news report from International Women’s Day in 2018 showed some disturbing differences in violence against women in Papua when compared to Jakarta.

A survey conducted by the United Nations Development Program found similar statistics and made recommendations as to how the situation can be changed. For these girls at the company funded program, the way out of the violence was obvious. Personal independence through education.

I spent a few days in Merauke and even went on a six hour bumpy ride to a remote area where these girls came from. In several meetings with local officials, indigenous clan chiefs and a priest from a local Catholic church, I tried to gather first hand evidence of the violence against women and children that has been reported.

The responses were all similar. From an obvious show of disinterest on the topic to annoyance when I persisted in asking about violence against women. It left me with an uncomfortable feeling that perhaps these local officials and community leaders wanted to hide the truth and talk only of positive developments in Papua.

Then it struck me that perhaps there was something bigger going on. The areas I visited were Merauke and Boven Digoel districts. Both districts are included in an ambitious plan to develop Papua. As such, a remarkable statistic can be seen in the fact that poverty and early death rates were both falling in these districts but was it possible that development was also bringing gender equality in empowering women?

Unlike their friends who are still living in the remote villages, these indigenous girls know that there are options available to them upon graduation. The existence of even one single option makes all the difference to the traditional roles of women as home makers and child bearers.

I asked them all the obvious question of what they would be doing if they had not been given a chance for higher education. The answers were all the same. They might be married or worse, be a single mother at sixteen years of age. When asked if they would consider moving back to the village upon graduation, the responses were a resounding no!

According to their caretaker Maria, village life for an indigenous woman, even today, would mean that the whole task of keeping a house together with cooking, cleaning and providing for the family fell mostly on the women’s shoulders. The men’s tasks were merely to hunt or fish occasionally as their primary roles were as warriors or protectors of the tribal lands.

Elsewhere in Boven Digoel, I spoke with Dr. Firman from Asiki clinic who had worked with villages in remote Papua for fourteen years. Asiki clinic is also funded exclusively by a private company. It stands as a model of success for the Indonesian governments program which works with industries to develop remote areas.

Dr. Firman brimmed over with pride as he spoke about the clinic’s achievements. It had grown from a simple first aid level clinic to being recognized as the best healthcare center for the provinces of Papua and West Papua in 2017.

He has a right to be. Notable achievements of the clinic which he humbly declared as the collective efforts of all the nurses and specialists at the clinic included reducing death by malaria from seven victims a month to zero victims by 2018. Extensive pre and post-partum care brought incidences of infant mortality from several a year to only one in 2018.

His biggest challenge now is to encourage birthing at the clinic instead of the traditional birthing “in jungle” according to Papuan custom. Working closely with the local Christian churches whose word carries heavy influence among the indigenous peoples, the free medical services coupled with vocational training for women is also providing Papuan women a way out of violent relationships.

It is perhaps a sign of the change that is coming for women in Papua. When asked if he had recorded any incidences of violence against women at the clinic, Dr Firman laughed and said:

“Yes, we have recorded some cases of violence by the husband against the wife. But we have also recorded cases of violence by the wife against the husband!”

It is obvious that women stand to gain the most as Papua develops. This point has been missed by environmentalists who frequently criticize the government for allowing deforestation in Papua as the Indonesian government has declared a moratorium on new plantations. The patients at Asiki clinic have a very different view from that of the environmentalists. Cases treated at the clinic and the mobile clinics that it operates were estimated at 50,000 patients in 2018.

For the younger generation especially the six hundred and twenty three students enrolled at Asiki school, some may not appreciate having to go to school instead of hanging out with their parents in their traditional lifestyles but their seniors at Musamus University are a role model to others. As Principal Pascales from Asiki school proudly declared, the future leaders of Papua will come from Asiki school. Having seen the impact of development on the empowerment of women, especially indigenous women, it is very possible that Papua’s leaders in the near future will include indigenous women from remote villages.

Source : medium.com

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The allegation saying that palm oil is the cause of global deforestation, including in Indonesia, has been disproved by itself. The total area of oil palm plantations worldwide is far less compared to the total area of soybean plantations. The high productivity of the harvest in oil palm plantations becomes the main factor for the management of a sustainable oil plam plantation.

Oil palm plantations by implementing principles and criteria of sustainability, also received support from the United Nations (UN). Through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Good Growth Green Commodity program is being implemented with aim to help improve the empowerment and productivity of oil palm farmers.

According to the Managing Director of Good Growth Green Commodity, UNDP, Pascal Bonzom, various efforts are being done for the empowerment of oil palm farmers in Indonesia. This needs assistance so it could improve the productivity of the harvest. Therefore, the best and sustainable implementation of cultivation must be done continuously.

United Nations’ involvement through UNDP, according to him, is also a part of his big task to ensure the living welfare of small farmers. “We help people, especially oil palm small farmers, who still need a lot of help and mentoring, so they can develop more sustainable products in the global market,” said Pascale.

Regarding a number of issues directed towards oil palm plantations, Pascale did not find it too troubling. Palm oil plantations are proven to be able to improve the welfare of remote people. Moreover, implementing principles and criteria of sustainability will be able to manage oil palm plantations in a way that is better and environmental-friendly.

According to a research done by UNDP, cattle farming activity is instead the one that causes forest and land deforestation to spread more in the world. Cattle farming needs land as wide as 1 hectare for cattle farming cultivation. Cattle farming activity also causes high carbon gas emission that comes from the manure.

The high carbon emission produced, and the total land area uses for cattle farming, according to Pascale, become one of the main things that cause deforestation. It can be concluded briefly that the oil palm plantation is not the cause of deforestation. It can instead improve the welfare of small farmers living the the remote area.

A similar tone was also voiced by environmental activist, Bustar Maitar. According to him, oil palm plantations have made real improvement in economy for Indonesian people. According to the Greenpeace former campaigner, oil palm plantation cultivation practice must be encouraged so it would not be involved in deforestation.

According to him, the oil palm plantation development which is based on principles and criteria of sustainability must be done in a transparent manner, so the traceability process could produce palm oil separated from deforestation. “Palm oil plantation company must be firm in stating to the public that they don’t cause deforestation,” Bustar said.

The commitment for sustainable oil palm plantation development also becomes the environment’s interest in the world. Therefore, a commitment not to cause deforestation and conduct sustainable cultivation practice become a joint solution in protecting the environment.