Independent smallholders belonging to the Anugerah Jaya Mandiri Sejahtera (AJMS) farmer’s cooperative in Perlabian Village, South Labuhan Batu Regency in North Sumatra, Indonesia, recently carried out their inaugural replanting process on approximately 157 hectares of oil palm plantation which they collectively own.
The smallholders – who are partners of Asian Agri – carried out the replanting because their oil palms are over 30 years old and no longer productive.
“We are thankful that this replanting has begun, in line with Asian Agri’s commitment to care for our smallholders as well as to support the government’s replanting program,” said Simon Sitohang, Asian Agri’s Head of Estate Department.
Asian Agri plays a role in assisting independent smallholders by providing them counseling as well as management training on the best oil palm plantation practices.
“During this first replanting, we use Asian Agri’s Topaz seeds, in the hope that the new production of palm oil may be higher or close to the average of around 30 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches per hectare per year,” Simon said.
“Asian Agri greatly appreciates the support and assistance of all parties involved, especially the heads of Perlabian Village and the AJMS Cooperative who are encouraging the smallholders to partake in the government’s replanting program,” he added.
Head of Perlabian Village, Irhamsyah Lubis, is pleased with the running of this replanting program, noting that the replanting of oil palms in his village is the first time it has happened in the South Labuhan Batu Regency.
“Our smallholders are very excited, and this has encouraged other smallholders to express interest in similarly joining Asian Agri’s replanting program,” he said.
