President Jokowi Launches Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting in Riau
President Jokowi attends the launching of Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Program, at Bagan Batu Kota Sub-District, Bagan Sinembah District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province, Wednesday (9/5) (Photo: BPMI).
President Joko Jokowi Widodo, accompanied by Chief of Presidential Staff Moeldoko and Acting Official Governor of Riau Wan Thamrin, launched Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting (PSR) Program in Bagan Batu Kota Sub-District, Bagan Sinembah District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province, on Wednesday (9/5) morning.
Flying with Super Puma Helicopter of Indonesian Air Forces (TNI AU) from Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, President Jokowi and his entourage landed on soccer field helipad, in Bagan Batu Kota Sub-District, Bagan Sinembah District, Rokan Hilir Regency, at 09.10 am Western Indonesian Time, and welcomed by Acting Official Regent of Rokan Hilir Jamiludin.
A few moments later, the President was fastened a yellow Tanjak -a traditional headband-, shawl, and loincloth by an indigenous figure.
From helipad, the President and his entourage went to the location of palm oil replanting to launch PSR Program in Riau Province.
Riau was the 3rd province of PSR Program after South Sumatra and North Sumatra.
In Rokan Hilir Regency, the Government will start smallholder palm oil farm replanting of 25,423 hectares in width for Riau Province in 2018, spread over 8 regencies, namely Rokan Hulu, Rokan Hilir, Kampak, Siak, Pelalawan, Kuantan Sengingi, Indragiri Hulu, and Bengkalis.
PSR in Riau Province is reviewed as crucial as its width is 1.58 million hectares with mostly old plantation around 1980 through Transmigrants Center Plantation (PIR-Trans) Program, resulting poor yield.
After attending PSR event, the President and his entourage went back to Pekanbaru using Super Puma Helicopter of TNI AU. Arrived in Pekanbaru, the President, accompanied by Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, will meet student council boards of senior/vocational high school and outstanding students of Pekanbaru City at Air Force Base Roesmin Nurjadin.
In the afternoon, the President will attend the Commemoration of 92nd Nahdlatul Ulama Anniversary held at Holy Mosque An Nur yard, Pekanbaru City. Then, the President and his entourage will return to Jakarta using Indonesian Air Force 1 and is estimated to arrive at night. (BPMI/Setpres/ES) (EPI/YM/Naster)
