The palm oil rejuvenation program aims to improve plantation productivity by replacing old or unproductive plants with new ones, following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
In 1975, PT Tunggal Investmen began operations, processing commodities such as rubber and palm oil.
In 1979, PT Tunggal Investmen became PT Tunggal Perkasa Plantations (PT TPP). After the Astra Group joined in September 1983, PT TPP focused exclusively on palm oil processing, with a production capacity of 70 tons per day.
“The palm oil rejuvenation program is driven by the low productivity of palm oil plantations, which impacts the income of palm oil farmers,” said Yanuar Wahyudi, former Administrator of PT TPP, on Friday (November 27th).
He stated that the replanting program at PT Tunggal Perkasa Plantations will replace unproductive plants with new, higher-yielding varieties to strengthen the palm oil sector.
“The area and plantation where the oil palm rejuvenation program is being implemented are certainly those that are more than 30 years old,” he said.
He noted that rejuvenation not only replaces old plants but also aims to enhance the productivity of competitive palm oil varieties. To date, over 7,000 hectares have been rejuvenated out of a 10,000-hectare target.
Implemented since 2016, the PSR program aims to increase palm oil productivity and improve farmers’ welfare. The company has invested tens of billions in this rejuvenation effort.
The PS online application supports faster replanting implementation by enabling efficient data processing and verification. The program involves 2,000 farmers, with total funding in the tens of billions.
The company is committed to strengthening the palm oil sector through its rejuvenation program, which benefits farmers who already follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
“PS is not just about replacing old plants with new ones. Through PS application, oil palm productivity becomes more competitive and profitable. Another benefit is a more organized plantation layout,” he said.The PS program is the company’s flagship initiative.
“The company is highly committed to the PS program. As plantations evolve, there will be a positive impact on farmers’ incomes. Additionally, oil palm supports energy security and promotes sustainability. PS activities help maintain oil palm as a national strategic commodity,” he said.
PT TPP, owned by the Astra Agro Lestari Group and located in Air Jernih Village, Sungai Lala District, Indragiri Hulu, is one of Indonesia’s oldest palm oil plantations. Planted in 1975, it continues to produce palm fruit today, according to Hadi Sukoco, former Community Development Officer at PT TPP.
Hadi Sukoco noted that Riau Province currently has the largest oil palm plantations. “The history of PT TPP’s oil palm plantation dates back to 1911,” he said.
In 1911, three plantation companies operated in Air Molek, Riau: the Swiss-owned NV Cultur Maatachappij Indragiri, Indragiri Rubber Limited (IRL), and Klawat Syndicate, a joint venture between a British company and Strut Company Malaysia.
In 1963, the Indonesian government nationalized these companies and transferred management to PT Perkebunan Indragiri (PT PI), which was later liquidated and handed over to PT Kulit Aceh Raya Kapten Markam (PT Karkam).
In 1973, the contract period of PT Indragiri Raya expired. In 1973, after PT Indragiri Raya’s contract expired, the Indonesian government nationalized the company through the Ministry of Agriculture and divided it into PTP IV, Desa Expansion, and PT Tunggal Investment. These commodities include rubber and oil palm. PT Tunggal Investmen was changed to PT Tunggal Perkasa Plantations in 1979.
Eka Setia Permana, Head of PT TPP Plantation, explained that the company has preserved the oil palm trees planted in 1975 to honor the early history of oil palm in Riau.
“We have preserved the 1.5-hectare oil palm plantation planted in 1975, with 208 trees, to commemorate our history. By understanding our history, we know where we come from and where we are going,” he said.
He added that these trees are still harvested regularly and continue to produce fresh fruit bunches.
He stated that the 1975 crop yield was 20 tons of fresh fruit bunches per hectare per year.
Source: riaupagi.com
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