Implementation of Sustainable Plantation Principles Through Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil in North Aceh Regency

Abstract

North Aceh Regency has 33,781.64 hectares of oil palm plantations granted to 11 plantation companies with the amount of land raises many issues in the social-ecological field. Therefore, the government of the North Aceh Regency developed the concept of sustainability-oriented plantation development and was guided by Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 11/Permentan (the Minister of Agriculture Regulation)/Ot.140/3/2015 concerning the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification System (ISPO). This study aims to analyze what are the obstacles, and how the role and efforts of the North Aceh Regency Government in implementing the principles of sustainable plantations through ISPO. The research method used in this research is empirical juridical research. The study employs three approaches, namely the identifying research objects approach, the statutory approach, and the vertical and horizontal synchronization approach to uncover the reality.  Based on the results of this study, the Government of North Aceh Regency has encouraged only 3 companies out of 11 companies in the palm oil sector to commit to ISPO certification. This is because only these three companies which are committed to implement ISPO certification. In the implementation, there were obstacles due to the lack of awareness of palm oil plantation companies in carrying out ISPO certification. The North Aceh Government's efforts are to allocate a budget to overcome these obstacles, as well as form a team to accelerate the implementation of ISPO. It is recommended that there is a need for synergy between the North Aceh Regency Government and businessmen in the oil palm plantation sector in the realization of sustainable oil palm plantations with the concept of ISPO certification.