KATINGAN DISTRICT'S COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING PALM OIL FARMERS
The President of the Republic of Indonesia has signed Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 6 of 2019 concerning the National Action Plan for Sustainable Palm Oil Plantations (NAP SPO) 2019-2024. The Presidential Instruction mandates 14 relevant ministries/institutions and local governments in 26 palm oil producing provinces and districts to implement activity programs in realizing sustainable palm oil in Indonesia. This Action Plan does not stop at the national stage, but is derived to several regions with the formation of 13 Regional Action Plans for Sustainable Palm Oil (RAD KSB) so far.
Thursday, September 7, 2023, WWF-Indonesia supported the FGD of Final Draft of RAD KSB of Katingan Regency with the government of Katingan Regency at Bappedalitbang Hall in Kasongan. The FGD focused on finalizing the preparation of the Regional Action Plan and drafting the RAD activity matrix and approving the PERBUP RAD Kab. Katingan.
The RAD KSB FGD was facilitated by Mr. Markano as the Head of Plantation Division and Mr. Abdi as the representative of JAVLEC. The FGD was chaired by Mr. Mozard as the Head of Food Security and Agriculture Office of Katingan Regency. Mr. Mozard appreciated the NGOs, especially WWF and JAVLEC for initiating and facilitating this activity in order to develop this RAD KSB and hopes to continue to work together in the long term in the implementation of this action plan. Then continued with a discussion session on this RAD KSB which was moderated by Mr. Abdi as a representative of JAVLEC starting with the finalization and improvement of the composition of the PERBUP, narrative attachment and RAD KSB activity matrix of Katingan Regency.
WWF-Indonesia also provided recommendations to adjust the targets of each component with the Government Work Plan (RKP) of each existing Local Government Work Unit (SKPD) so that the outcomes are clear. The discussion agreed on several important components in the design of the Katingan District Sustainable Palm Oil Regional Action Plan activity matrix. The following are some of the components agreed to be the Katingan District Regional Action Plan;
a. Strengthening data, strengthening coordination and infrastructure: data collection of plantation information, improving infrastructure that supports sustainable palm oil development etc.
b. Improving capacity and capability of smallholders: increasing the number of smallholders who apply GAP (Good Agriculture Practice), increasing funding and assistance for oil palm replanting for smallholders etc.
b.
c. Environmental management and monitoring: increase the protection and management of the environment that is KBKT (High Conservation Value Area), carry out prevention and management of natural disasters and support commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions etc.
d. Plantation governance and dispute handling: facilitating the acceleration of legalization status of oil palm plantation land indicated in forest areas or peatlands, handling disputes over oil palm plantation land and employment and environmental impacts and social responsibility to surrounding communities etc.
d.
e. Accelerate the implementation of ISPO certification and market access for palm oil products: increase understanding of ISPO to stakeholders, accelerate the implementation of ISPO certification for smallholders through guidance to smallholders and the development of government and company partnership models etc.
e.
This activity was closed by the Head of Service by giving some hopes for RAD KSB Kab. Katingan in the context of planning land use activities, prevention of natural disasters, ISPO certification, data management and so on to be an output that benefits the surrounding community because 60% of Katingan people are engaged in agriculture in the sense that if we support from RAD KSB, it means we support the economy of the Katingan community.