Illegitimate Oil Palm Seeds Found in East Kutai, Farmers Need to be Carefull

Once again, Illegitimate oil palm seeds has been an issue in East Kutai Regency of East Kalimantan Province.  Plantation Office of the Government of East Kutai Regency warned oil palm farmers to be more careful in buying palm oil seeds. “We have visited and held meeting with farmers to warn them about the Illegitimate seeds. We have also put up warning pamphlet on the street, village office, sub-district offices, and other public places. Do not be tempted by cheap oil palm seeds that are not certified,” said Secretary of Plantation Office of East Kutai Regency, Kasiyanto as quoted by Tribun Kaltim (8/7/2018). Kasiyanto also told farmers to ensure that all purchased seeds are certified by legal documents because the uncertified seeds have no documents. The price offered for uncertified seeds is a bit cheaper, which is Rp 2.000 to Rp 2.500 per seedling. As for the certified oil palm seeds, the price is Rp 7.500 to Rp 9.000 per seedling. “A part from having different prices and documents, the productivity of the uncertified seeds will also be different. Uncertified seeds will be 50 percent more lightweight than certified seeds. Their quality of oil content and shell thickness will also be different,” Kasiyanto said. ***