IDXChannel - In the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, many business people think creatively to increase their income. One of them is carried out by palm oil entrepreneurs, who utilize waste from palm fronds into sticks and successfully export them abroad.
As stated, the Daily Chairperson of the National Entrepreneurs Network (Japnas) Regional Manager, Viktor Yonatan. Currently, there are two companies that have succeeded in utilizing palm midrib into sticks and exported to Pakistan.
“In Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau. Two companies collect 17 tons of palm sticks, with the purchase price of Rp. 2,000 per kilogram. The sticks were sent to Pakistan," said Viktor, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Japnas Regional Manager, Pekanbaru, Riau, Thursday (25/3/2021).
Viktor said, the potential for processing palm frond waste is very large. If only 3 million hectares of the oil palm area in Riau are already producing with age over 8 years, then the potential for midrib every 6 months that can be utilized by the industry has reached 1.1 billion stems.
"For example, every six months from one oil palm trunk, three stems are removed and one leaf stem produces 1 kilogram of sticks, then the sticks that can be used are more than 1 million tons," he added.
In addition to the fronds, said Viktor, currently palm oil entrepreneurs are also using the bark of palm trees as material for furniture crafts.
“With the drying and cleaning process, this midrib skin will look good in texture. Actually, oil palm trees can also be used as furniture,” said Viktor.
"In other places, palm oil broom sticks already have economic value and are even exported. Then the coconut midrib skin has economic value. Why can't we make something like this in Riau with economic value. This is the beginning of the idea," added the Chairman of the Board JapNas Riau region, Arif Eka Saputra. (RAMA) Source: https://www.idxchannel.com/economics/manfaatkan-pelepah-sawit-indonesia-ekspor-lidi-ke-pakistan
