London, (ANTARA News) - Indonesia strongly supports global efforts to promote the living standard of Ugandan poor farmers through the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP), a diplomat said.

The project will be realized through fund assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Indonesian Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Esti Andayani said during the opening of the 123rd session of IFAD Executive Board in Rome, Italy, on Monday.

IFAD must not fail to improve the income and living standard of poor farmers in backward rural areas by taking advantage of large potential and economic benefit of palm oil farming, she said.

The Indonesian ambassador made the remarks during the session which discussed the Uganda National Oil Palm Program.

Indonesia supports sustainable palm oil development project through the IFAD funding in Uganda to secure a seal of approval from the IFAD Executive Board as decision maker of the funding project, the embassy`s counselor for information, social and cultural function, Charles F. Hutapea quoted the ambassador as saying.

According to the ambassador, palm oil farming has proven to play an important role in achieving the target of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development in many countries.

Especially in Indonesia, palm oil farming has contributed to the livelihood of more than 17 million people, she said.

The other real positive impact of palm oil farming is the improvement of citizens` education and the development of rural infrastructures which eventually raised human development index.

She said the Indonesian palm oil development policy is pro-jobs, pro-poor people, pro-growth and pro-environment within the framework of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO).

During the 123rd session of the IFAD executive board, Indonesia also played a role in raising supports from developing nations to approve and implement the NOPP project in Uganda despite challenges from developed countries which stressed the risk of the project on the environment and health.

IFAD Executive Council comprises 36 countries representing 176 IFAD member states to approve IFAD work programs, agricultural development projects and give impotant recommendations.

(s012/O001)

Reported by Zeynita Gibbons







(T.S012/A/KR-BSR/O001) 17-04-2018 13:12:10

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Editor: Suharto
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