Agriculture Ministry Oversees Palm Oil Companies to Safeguard Production Against El Niño
Jakarta – The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has tightened supervision of palm oil plantation companies amid the threat of forest and land fires by conducting inspections of fire-control readiness to protect production, supply, and the performance of the national plantation industry.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasised that prevention must be the top priority in facing potential land fires. ‘Do not wait for a fire to break out to extinguish it. Prevention is the primary measure we must take,’ Amran said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.
The Ministry is tightening oversight of palm oil plantation companies’ readiness to face fire threats in light of the risk of forest and land fires (karhutla) as the El Niño phenomenon is predicted to trigger drought in 2026.
Through on-site inspections in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, the Ministry ensured that all fire-control systems in the plantation area were fully prepared to operate before the peak of the dry season.
The inspection was carried out by the Directorate General of Plantations of the Ministry of Agriculture at one integrated palm oil plantation company in Musi Banyuasin.
Acting Director General of Plantations Ali Jamil, accompanied by the Director of Plantation Protection of the Directorate General of Plantations, the Plantation Service of Musi Banyuasin Regency, and representatives of the South Sumatra Provincial Plantation Service, directly surveyed the company.
‘This inspection was conducted in response to the Minister of Agriculture’s directive to ensure the readiness of plantation companies facing fire threats, particularly on plantation land in anticipation of the potential Godzilla El Niño,’ Ali said.
During the inspection, the team carried out a thorough assessment of the fire-fighting task force organisation, readiness of human resources, early warning systems, reporting systems, and the completeness of fire-control facilities and infrastructure.
The equipment checked included water pumps, personal protective equipment, rubber boats, hoses, gepyok, embung (water reservoir), and fire-monitoring towers in accordance with Regulation of Minister of Agriculture No. 6 of 2025 on the Opening and/or Processing of Plantation Land Without Burning.
This activity is also part of the implementation of Law No. 39 of 2014 on Plantations and Presidential Instruction No. 3 of 2020 on Combating Forest and Land Fires.
Ali emphasised that field readiness must be strengthened so that responses to fire risks can be faster and more effective. ‘We want to ensure all fire-control facilities function optimally and are ready for use at any time,’ Ali said.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening human resources through regular training so staff understand standard operating procedures and can move quickly during emergencies, especially those related to land fires.
From the inspection results, Ali added, the Ministry found several aspects that still require improvement by the company, including strengthening real-time hotspot monitoring, adding fire-monitoring towers.
Additionally, maintenance of embung so water reserves remain available during the dry season, as well as installation of water pumps with adequate capacity in embung areas.
Companies were also asked to perform regular maintenance and calibration of all firefighting equipment such as water pumps and fire engines to ensure they are always ready for use.
Following the inspection, company management pledged to immediately carry out improvements and ensure all land-fire control systems function optimally.
Ali urged all plantation actors, including companies and smallholders, to strengthen preparedness against the Karhutla threat arising from Godzilla El Niño, while complying with all applicable regulations.
He also stressed that under Presidential Instruction No. 3 of 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture together with local authorities will continue to supervise plantation operators and facilitate the adoption of plantation land clearing without burning, and to impose administrative sanctions or criminal penalties on violations by companies or smallholders.