PALMOILMAGAZINE, PANGKALANBARU — The Central Bangka Regency Government (Pemkab Bateng) has ramped up efforts to accelerate sustainable palm oil certification by conducting a socialization event on the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) scheme, held on Thursday (24/07/2025) at the Santika Hotel, Pangkalanbaru.
Organized by the Central Bangka Agriculture and Food Security Office (DPKP), the event was officially opened by Deputy Regent Efrianda, alongside DPKP Head Dr. Dian Akbarini.
In her opening remarks, Dian emphasized the importance of this initiative as a platform to equip stakeholders—including farmers, farmer groups, agricultural advisors, village and sub-district officials, and partner companies—with a solid understanding of sustainability principles in palm oil cultivation.
Also Read: SPKS Intensifies Outreach on STDB and ISPO Certification to Village Farmers in Bengkayang and Sambas
“This event aims to enhance farmers’ knowledge of ISPO certification requirements, promote sustainable farming practices, outline strategic steps toward certification, and foster synergy among farmers, government, and other stakeholders,” Dian stated, as quoted by beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com via Central Bangka’s Communications and Information Office on Saturday (26/7/2025).
Attended by around 100 participants, the session took place in a lively and interactive atmosphere. Dian also stressed the need for improvements in land legality, farmer group governance, and farm activity documentation as critical preparation steps for ISPO readiness.
“With these improvements, farmers will be better positioned to access incentives or participate in sustainability-based partnership programs,” she added.
Deputy Regent Efrianda welcomed the initiative and urged all participants to pay close attention to the materials presented to ensure successful ISPO certification implementation in the region.
“Palm oil is a strategic commodity in Central Bangka. It serves as the primary income source for thousands of farming families, contributes significantly to regional revenue, and generates employment opportunities,” Efrianda said.
ISPO is Indonesia’s national certification system designed to ensure that palm oil production is conducted legally, environmentally responsibly, and sustainably.
“The ISPO principles include compliance with laws, good plantation practices, environmental and biodiversity management, as well as business transparency and sustainability,” he explained.
During the event, Dr. Dian Akbarini delivered an in-depth presentation on ISPO certification policies specific to Central Bangka. Other speakers included Maladi, Chair of Apkasindo Central Bangka, and Muhammad Isa Anshorie, Head of Plantation Division at the Provincial DPKP of Bangka Belitung Islands.
Through this outreach, the Central Bangka government hopes to better prepare local farmers to meet sustainability standards in palm oil cultivation, thereby improving the global competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil products. (P2)
