PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — The issue of illegal and uncertified palm oil seed distribution took center stage at the 2025 Karantina Day Talkshow, themed “From Quarantine to Sustainable Palm Oil: Supporting Indonesia’s Food and Energy Security,” held on Friday (October 24, 2025).
The event, attended by various stakeholders including Palmoilmagazine.com, underscored the critical importance of quality and traceability oversight as the foundation for sustainable palm oil cultivation. Director of Palm Oil and Other Perennial Crops at the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun), Ministry of Agriculture, Baginda Siagian, revealed that many farmers and business operators still use counterfeit palm oil seeds.
Based on monitoring data, an estimated 40–70% of seeds circulating in the market lack official certification. “Many farmers still use uncertified seeds, which significantly affects productivity and plantation sustainability. This must be a shared concern,” Baginda stressed.
Also Read:
He pointed out that weak monitoring and uncontrolled interregional distribution are key contributing factors. For instance, shipments of seeds from Medan to Pekanbaru or other regions, especially by land, often experience leakage in the supply chain. “Our task is to ensure that seed distribution complies with regulations. Fake seeds should not circulate freely, as they ultimately harm farmers,” he added.
Responding to this, Head of the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin), Sahat Manaor Panggabean, reaffirmed Barantin’s commitment to strengthening the supervision of seed traffic between regions and across borders. He emphasized that quarantine oversight plays a strategic role in maintaining the quality and safety of planting materials to prevent economic losses and ecosystem disruption.
Also Read: Indonesia Palm Oil Outlook 2026: Reforming for Sustainable Growth
“Quarantine acts as the first line of defense to ensure that every seed and planting material entering or leaving Indonesia meets quality standards. Through quarantine measures, we support sustainable palm oil as part of national food and energy security,” Sahat explained. He further noted that collaboration between Barantin, Ditjenbun, research institutions such as the Indonesian Oil Palm Research Center (IOPRC/PPKS), and private sector actors is essential to enhance the national palm oil seed monitoring and certification system.
Both officials agreed that strict seed quality oversight is a crucial first step toward sustainable palm oil plantations, helping Indonesia maintain its strategic position as the world’s leading palm oil producer. (P2)
