Jakarta, Ekuatorial – To achieve sustainable palm oil, government need to ensure transparency in production, certification, and permit, said an official in Jakarta, on Thursday (13/11).
Heru Prasetyo, head of REDD+ agency said that legal framework and law enforcement, mapping out and capacity building for small farmers, and production intensification, were also needed to reach sustainable palm oil.
“Stakeholders need to be able to identify different problems and seek solutions. Next, there must be strong commitment and collaboration to achieve it,” he said at a forum held by Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), REDD+ agency and CGF (The Consumer Goods Forum).
Meawnhile, Joko Supriyono, secretary general of Indonesian Palm Oil Association or GAPKI, said that the forum was a good idea considering that oil palm was one of the biggest commodity in the country. “The Forum is the foundation to develop sustainable palm oil,” said Supriyono.
Up to date, Indonesia is the biggest palm oil producer and exporter. Bloomberg recorded that Indonesia’s production increased to 30 million metric tons by 2014. Meanwhile, world’s consumption on palm oil is also rising. “So, this is an opportunity also challenge to develop sustainable palm oil,” he said.
He added that palm oil industry mostly related to issues with spatial planning, investment, and regulation.
Meanwhile, Sabine Ritter, Executive Vice President of the Consumer Goods Forum, said that its members have committed for zero deforestation by 2020. “We understand that to reach that goal, we need to work with other sectors and partners,” Ritter said.
On September 23, KADIN had announced Indonesia’s Palm Oil Pledge at the United Nation Climate Summit in New York. In addition, major companies have also announced their commitment to tackle deforestation, including Golden Agri Resources, Wilmar, Cargill, and Asian Agri. Januar Hakam