RI And Malaysian Palm Oil Launch Joint Campaign in EU

Brussels (AFP) - Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to cooperate in developing oil palm as a source of renewable energy.

The deal was conveyed by Minister of Industries and Commodities Malaysia shifting Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dr. Krisnamurthi after a meeting with European Commission in Brussels, Tuesday afternoon.

Joint Statement the two allied nations were made after holding a series of discussions with Jane Potocnik of the Environmental Commission of the European Union, Connie Hedegaar of the Commission on Climate Action, Guntter Oettinger of the Energy Commission and the Development Committee and Chairman of the Committee Nirj Deva crop development Paolo de Castro.

After holding a series of meetings the two ministers mengelar luncheon together with members of the European Parliament hosted by Martin Callanan MEP was present ambassador of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxemburg and concurrent Keharyapatihan EU, Arif Havas Oegroseno.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dr. Krisnamurthi said a growing issue for discussion and a concern among decision-Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from sources Replaces energy sources, and production of sustainable palm oil.

It is also a problem Indirect land use change (ILUC), seritikasi Biofuel, a revision of renewable energy and the High Grassland Biodiversity.

For Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil industry is very important in economic development, taking in more than eight million workers in both countries.

Unfortunately, many palm oil industry is opposed by various civil society organizations working in the environment that many of them do not understand about the benefits of oil palm trees for the community.

DR Krisnamurthi said the benefits of palm oil to 10 times more than oils produced by plants other nuts.

The two countries agreed to develop renewable energy from palm oil which has many advantages, for both Indonesia and Malaysia, palm oil became a very important commodity.

Indonesia and Malaysia is the largest palm oil suppliers of the world including Europe which reached about 90 percent. While 42 percent of production in Indonesia comes from small farmers, while Malaysia also reached 40 percent.

Palm oil industry has managed to mengetaskan poverty, employment opportunities and increase incomes.

The Indonesian government put great attention on sustainable palm oil production which in 2010 produced 21 million tons of CPO from about 7.5 million hectares of oil palm plantations.

Meanwhile, total world palm oil production reached 44.3 million tons in 2010.

There are about 1.5 million small farmers engaged in the oil palm industry, and many of which can lift themselves from poverty through a coconut palm.

Before 2000 the average income of farmers of oil palm currently reach 1000 to 1100 euros per year and only about 37 percent produce only 600 to 700 euros annually.

In 2009 the average farmer's income doubled to 2000 euros per year, while farmers who previously had income of less than 700 euros reduced by 16 percent ..

 Energy produced in one hectare of land for palm oil 3.74 tons per year with energy generated by 9-fold, while soybean yields only 0.38 tons and 0.48 tons of sunflower.

 Indonesian study results according to Chairman of Indonesian Palm Oil Board Rosedana DR Suharto, shows the default value of palm oil reached 60 percent. Therefore, Indonesia felt the need for dialogue between the EU and Indonesia as the largest palm oil producer in the world.

The European Union set a standard default value of palm oil by 19 percent, while 35 percent needed for biofuels. EU Renewable Energy Directive acknowledges the European Union (EU-RED) is still open to input from various countries for the right to results in its policies and mengguntungkan all parties.

By                    : DR Bayu Krisnamurthi

Source              : Antara