North Aceh Regent Stops Permit for Concession to Open Oil Palm Plantation

INDUSTRY.co.id - Lhoksukon - North Aceh Bupati, H Muhammad Thaib said it had stopped granting concessions for oil palm plantation concessions in the area indefinitely.

"If the planting (oil palm) new I do not give permission (extension), which already exist in-replanting," said Regent after performing the inauguration IPSM board in Kesbangpol Office in Lhoksukon, Tuesday (20/2/2018).

He said the termination of the oil palm expansion license in North Aceh for several reasons, one of which, oil palm is a type of drainage tree that is considered to inhibit the production of other crops. One palm tree spends about 15 liters of water every day.

Another reason, he continued, is the lack of availability of palm oil mill in North Aceh that holds the oil palm of the farmers, so they have to sell it out of the region.

"If the farmer's container factory is sufficient, then we will allow it again. Currently, the oil palm plantation in Aceh Utara is more than 25 thousand hectares, just in-replanting (for old trees) in the existing land," he explained.

As a substitute for palm trees, Mad Cek invites the community to promote hybrid coconut planting and betang betara and other productive crops that can produce more than that.

On the other hand, the Regent also invites the people of North Aceh to plant at least two hybrid coconut trees in each home yard each, because it will be able to produce various benefits.

"I am challenging IPSM (Member of Community Social Worker Union) to invite people to plant at least two hybrid coconut shells in each house," he said.