Latest News: Page 43

Indonesian-German researchers claim that palm oil does not cause carbon emissions

22

Nov

Indonesian-German researchers claim that palm oil does not cause carbon emissions

The CRC990 team consists of researchers from the University of Jambi, the Bogor Institute of Technology, Tadulako University, and the University of [...]

Indonesian-German researchers claim that palm oil does not cause carbon emissions. The CRC990 team consists of researchers from the University of Jambi, the Bogor Institute of Technology, Tadulako University, and the University of Gottingen in Germany. The team is conducting research on the change in land used from forest to oil palm plantations that will continue until 2023. In an opening speech at the Indonesian Palm Oil Course at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry on Monday (20/11), CRC990 Coordinator Aiyen Tjoa denied all negative assumptions about palm oil that have been circulating up to now. “Research shows that young oil palm plantations that are around two years old do cause carbon to increase. But mature oil palm plantations that are about 10–12 years old are actually a source of carbon absorption. So, the idea that palm oil is the main source of emissions is wrong, because palm oil is not the only major factor contributing to increased emissions,” said Aiyen. In addition, he said that even though the palm oil industry has generally led to a decline in biodiversity, the plant is able to increase the number of bacteria and fungi that can maintain soil fertility. The decline in biodiversity, he said, can be managed through improvements to management of the oil palm plantations themselves. Moreover, research done by the CRC990 team also proves that palm oil can be produced using mixed cultivation techniques, where farmers can plant several vegetables or other fruits in one field, such as petai, jengkol, durian, and copper meranti. “This technique has been successfully implemented in Jambi, where oil palm plantations are planted along with petai, jengkol, and durian. The result is not only the restoration of biodiversity, but the palm oil harvest also increases,” added Aiyen. Furthermore, Aiyen said that the palm oil industry will not always damage the environment if farmers and producing countries continue their efforts to improve sustainable production systems with a focus on environmental aspects. Claims in Line with UN Vision Meanwhile, Head of the Assessment and Policy Development Agency (BPPK) of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Siswo Pramono, said that the development of Indonesia’s palm oil production is in line with one of the United Nations’ sustainable development agendas, namely the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of poverty eradication. Because, according to Siswo, around 40 percent of palm oil land in Indonesia is managed by small-scale farmers or smallholders. The restriction of this commodity would, he explained, result in quite a significant impact on the income of these farmers. Therefore, Siswo stated that if anyone is opposed to the development of Indonesia’s palm oil commodity, that means they do not support achieving sustainable development in Indonesia. “Palm oil is a matter of utmost importance to the lives of small-scale Indonesian farmers. If this continues to be supported, how many million people could be lifted out of poverty? This is in line with the UN’s SDG efforts,” explained Siswo at the opening of the Indonesian Palm Oil Course at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry on Monday (20/11). “If you oppose the development of palm oil, that means you are opposing the SDGs program in Indonesia because we believe that this sector has huge potential for eradicating poverty,” he added. Siswo made this statement in response to the proliferation of negative campaigns targeted at palm oil producing countries like Indonesia. In April, the European Union parliament even issued a resolution entitled “Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforest.” The resolution documents the impact of the palm oil industry on land and forest clearing that is occurring in palm oil producing countries like Indonesia. Several issues underlined in the resolution focus on the assumption that the palm oil industry is the cause of deforestation and forest fires in Indonesia. Violations of human rights and production processes believed to have no regard for environmental impact have also become a concern for Europe related to the palm oil industry in Indonesia and several other producing countries. (gir)

Indonesian Palm Oil Council Propose 6 Proposals for the Progress of Palm Oil Industry

22

Nov

Indonesian Palm Oil Council Propose 6 Proposals for the Progress of Palm Oil Industry

The meeting was attended by national palm oil players and veterans, among others Derom Bangun, Bayu Krisnamurthi, Sahat M.Sinaga, Darmono [...]

Indonesian Palm Oil Council Propose 6 Proposals for the Progress of Palm Oil Industry. The meeting was attended by national palm oil players and veterans, among others Derom Bangun, Bayu Krisnamurthi, Sahat M.Sinaga, Darmono Taniwiryono, Hasril Siregar, Mustafa Daulay, Lakshmi K. Sidarta, Dharma Sebayang, Kacuk Sumarto, and other plantation associations, at the Indonesian Oil Palm Research Center building, Medan, on November 17, 2017.
 
Sahat Sinaga, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Oil Palm Council, explained that this meeting was to address the current palm oil business situation. Including facing challenges from abroad in the form of increasingly intense “black-campaign”.
 
From domestic there are barrier issues, namely various groups in the country who still have negative views on palm oil, peat restoration, problems with plantation areas that have obtained HGU and are in forest areas. Sahat added that many palm oil farmers have not succeeded in obtaining land certificates and are also located in `forest` areas.
 
“The issue of the need for research in the palm oil sector was also discussed at the meeting,” said Sahat Sinaga to sawitindonesia.com.
 
The results of the meeting produced 6 ideas to advance the Indonesian palm oil industry, which are stated in the Medan Ma’imun Charter.
 
First, a scientific institution is needed that masters palm oil in order to coordinate palm oil issues. In this case, DMSI (Indonesian Palm Oil Council) must be able to handle it. Because not only palm oil will be handled, it is proposed that the name of DMSI be changed to DSI Indonesian Palm Oil Council with a more operational institution and organizational structure.

Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Seek New Markets

22

Nov

Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Seek New Markets

Some time ago, the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC) announced the final decision on countervailing duty (CVD) or import duty for [...]

Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Seek New Markets. Some time ago, the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC) announced the final decision on countervailing duty (CVD) or import duty for biodiesel products from Indonesia between 34.45% — 64.73%. The decision is lower than the temporary import duty issued in August 2017, ranging from 41.06% — 68.28%.
 
Chairman of the Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi), Paulus Tjakrawan explained that businesses had in fact stopped exporting to the US since 2017. The reason for this is that the price of products from Indonesia is less competitive than biodiesel produced in the US.
 
Paulus revealed that Indonesia's installed capacity for biodiesel production reaches 12 million kiloliters (kl) per year. However, the domestic absorption rate is only about 3 million kl per year.
 
With this comparison, he continued, the results of biodiesel production are only absorbed by 25% domestically. Therefore, producers are now looking for new export destinations.
 
“Of course we are continuing to look for new markets, for example China and India,” he told Bisnis, Monday (20/11).
 
He explained that exports are needed to boost the performance of the biodiesel industry domestically. Indonesia can obtain greater added value by exporting downstream palm oil products.
 
“For that we need to export; otherwise the industry's performance will be low and it will impact efficiency, price, labor force, etc.,” he added.

21

Nov

PT KPBN HOLDS HYDROPONIC TRAINING

This training activity is a first-time HRD program. Amin Sarko as the HRD & General Manager said “By holding this hydroponics plant [...]

PT KPBN HOLDS HYDROPONIC TRAINING. This training activity is a first-time HRD program. Amin Sarko as the HRD & General Manager said “By holding this hydroponics plant training, employees who are about to retire and have undergone CSR can fill their free time, think positively, creatively, and this training can be applied at home, and the result of these hydroponics plants can be consumed personally or even used for business”. Other than receiving theoretical knowledge, they also practiced the hydroponics planting method guided by Musyafak from *MM Hydro Fam*. The training material on the first day held in PT KPBN Multipurpose Room covered the topic of hydroponics introduction, history of hydroponics, the essential elements in hydroponics, hydroponics planting medium, providing nutrients in hydroponics, controlling pests and diseases in hydroponics, the steps for planting in hydroponics, and practices in planting hydroponics vegetables.In this training, a hydroponics starter kit will be provided for each participant so that after the training, they can directly practice what they have learned at home or at their offices respectively.On the second day, the hydroponics plant training was held at Jl. Haji Bona, Limo, Depok. This time, the training was presented by Citra as the second speaker about hydroponics plants by using her home yard as the workshop venue. She said: “hydroponics emerged as an alternative for agriculture on limited land, where hydroponics can be developed in houses with narrow or large yards. Especially because the materials used are used/leftover items and plastic waste that actually help in preserving the environment”The result of the hydroponics plant training is expected to add insight and some can be consumed for daily use. Other than that, the training held had several advantages, such as the efficiency of land, greening the environment, energy-saving, cost-saving, and time-saving. [LA]

A Decade Even: PT KPBN Holds Gratitude Anniversary

16

Nov

A Decade Even: PT KPBN Holds Gratitude Anniversary

This eight-year celebration of PT KPBN began with opening remarks by MC, further followed by a greeting speech by Ery Erwin Effendi selaku Direksi [...]

A Decade Even: PT KPBN Holds Gratitude Anniversary. This eight-year celebration of PT KPBN began with opening remarks by MC, further followed by a greeting speech by Ery Erwin Effendi selaku Direksi PT. KPBN. Carrying the theme `Reborn,` PT KPBN, at 8-years old, endeavors to press on and develop within the realm of plantation commodity marketing. PT KPBN, as one of the national plantation marketers, must be able to seize opportunities to produce the best, high-quality plantation products. Hard work, innovation, and strategy are all required in order to be able to compete in the global market.
In his speech, Ery, as Direksi, said that “For new as well as veteran employees, we must be grateful for and thank the gentlemen who built KPBN up to this day. KPBN has experienced the ebb and flow of trade in plantation commodities and is now mature enough. I hope that PT KPBN can continue to progress, remain professional, and find success in the future”.

The event proceeded with a prayer together, cake-cutting, and tumpeng-cutting. This thanksgiving celebration is an event held year after year. Furthermore, on Friday, November 24, 2017, there will be a celebration for the peak of PT KPBN's 8th Anniversary as well as the company's Launching New Identity. The thanksgiving celebration was closed with a friendly gathering and a meal together.

13

Nov

Palm Oil Market Still Vibrant

Togar Sitanggang, Secretary General of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki), said that the export figure in September 2017 was still [...]

Palm Oil Market Still Vibrant. Togar Sitanggang, Secretary General of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki), said that the export figure in September 2017 was still high compared to the export trend for the entire year. `This shows that the palm oil market is still active because of a lack of supply of other vegetable oils in the global market,` Togar said in an official statement, Sunday (12/11).
 
He said that India and China are still filling their vegetable oil stockpiles domestically, which have started to dwindle, even though this September has seen a decrease in demand, each by 17.5% and 17%, respectively. In terms of volume, imports by both countries, which are Indonesia's main palm oil export destinations, are still high, namely to India by 370,470 tons and to China by 650,750 tons. On the other hand, several other countries that import palm oil from Indonesia recorded a significant increase in demand in September. These countries include the Middle East with an increase of 26% and Pakistan with an increase of 9%.
 
`Meanwhile, the countries of the European Union only reported an increase in demand in September by 1% from the previous month,` Togar explained. Furthermore, Togar assessed that the dwindling palm oil stockpiles in Indonesia and Malaysia have raised global CPO prices.
 
Throughout September, the global daily price of CPO has ranged from US$687.5 to US$760 per metric ton (MT), with an average price of US$724.9 per MT. This average price increased by 7% when compared to the previous month, which was US$676 per MT. Indonesia's palm oil production (CPO and PKO) throughout September 2017 reached over 4 million tons.

This figure was the highest production of the entire 2017 because it is the annual large harvest cycle. Throughout September, Indonesia's palm oil production was reported at 4.03 million tons or an increase of 2%. The stockpile in this September was reported at 2.92 million tons, or an increase of 8.5% when compared to August's 2.69 million tons.

Source: Media Indonesia

Latest News