PALMOILMAGAZINE, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN — The palm–cattle integration model is gaining strong support from the Indonesian government. Director General of Livestock and Animal Health (DG PKH), Agung Suganda, emphasized that this system offers a smart solution to improve both plantation productivity and farmers’ welfare.
A leading example can be found at Sulung Ranch in Central Kalimantan, owned by the Citra Borneo Indah (CBI) Group. According to Haji Rasyid, owner of CBI, the integration of palm and cattle not only provides dual benefits but also delivers an added “bonus” in the form of free organic fertilizer from cattle manure, which naturally enriches the soil and supports palm tree growth.
Sulung Ranch has been developing its palm–cattle integration system since 2008, making it one of Indonesia’s pioneers in this field. On this estate, various breeds—such as Bali, Brahman, Limousin, Brangus, and Simmental—graze freely under mature oil palm stands. The ranch applies a simple yet effective rotational grazing system, where cattle are moved to new areas every two months, relying entirely on naturally grown grasses within the plantation.
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“The grass growing under the palm trees is sufficient to meet the cattle’s feed needs. We maximize available resources without additional feed inputs. With rotational grazing, the land remains healthy, and the cattle stay strong,” said H. Rasyid, as quoted by beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com from the official Instagram of the DG PKH, Ministry of Agriculture, Saturday (October 4, 2025).
To manage livestock movement efficiently, the ranch uses solar-powered electric fencing, a cost-effective infrastructure that helps control grazing areas while reducing operational expenses.
This integrated model is expected to be replicated across other regions in Indonesia. Environmentally friendly, efficient, and economically viable, the palm–cattle integration system has proven to deliver multiple benefits — from beef production and organic fertilizer to supporting the long-term sustainability of oil palm plantations. (P2)
