JAKARTA – The Indonesian government continues to optimize steps to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2027, with various strategies to accelerate its achievement.
One of them is through replanting or rejuvenation of oil palm plantations. This step aims to ensure better food availability and support the sustainability of the plantation industry.
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One of the important initiatives in realizing food self-sufficiency is the collaboration between PTPN IV PalmCo and the police in various provinces. PTPN IV PalmCo has carried out the government’s mandate to increase national food security through corn planting.
President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo, Jatmiko Santosa, explained that since the end of January, the company has carried out simultaneous corn planting in several work units and partner farmer areas spread across five provinces, namely North Sumatra, Jambi, East Kalimantan, West Java, and Riau.
“This program involves planting corn in oil palm plantation areas that are undergoing replanting, so that it can increase agricultural productivity without disrupting environmental sustainability,” he said.
Furthermore, Jatmiko added, in a month, approximately 8 hectares of corn have been planted. This program not only increases food production, but also creates job opportunities and strengthens the local economy.
This corn planting is carried out by intercropping with oil palm replanting or rejuvenation areas and hiaten (open areas due to empty planting points), thus maximizing the use of existing land.
“This is expected to have a positive impact on food security while creating a balance between food needs and plantation sustainability,” he explained.
On the other hand, the Indonesian Ombudsman also reminded of the importance of proper management of oil palm plantation land in efforts to accelerate the achievement of food self-sufficiency.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Mokhammad Najih, revealed findings related to overlapping oil palm plantation land with forest areas which have the potential to cause maladministration.
In his meeting with the Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Mokhammad said that his party provided suggestions so that existing oil palm plantations could be developed towards sustainability, so that employment opportunities continue to increase and industry develops.
“With good planning, it is hoped that the problem of overlapping land can be resolved and provide maximum economic benefits for the community and the country,” he explained.
Through these steps, the government hopes to accelerate food self-sufficiency through optimal utilization of existing plantation land. In addition, the sustainability of the plantation industry is also an important concern to support the green economy and food security in the future.
Effective implementation of this land replanting not only answers food needs, but also contributes to sustainable development that can be enjoyed by future generations.
