ABSTRACT
Responsible peatland management for sustainable oil palm production is the main concern for growers in Indonesia and it is regulated through the Government Decree No 57/2016 junto No. 71/2014 regarding the Protection and Management of Peat Ecosystems. This applies to all companies and farmers running businesses on peatlands. Staged approaches are required to build better knowledge and appropriate technology to bridge agronomic needs and conservation. One of the major peat management techniques is the maintenance of high moisture level to avoid fires. The management of peat requires an understanding of its types and characteristics, water behavior both on the surface and subsurface, soil moisture, and hydro-topography. Management approaches based on the understanding of tropical soil characteristics can be used to formulate appropriate practices to manage peatland for oil palm. An example included drainage systems that were built based on hydro-topography information and zonation systems with controlled water gates can maintain moist water content yet still achieve good yields. Some examples of successful management can be seen in many areas of Sumatera including Jambi, Riau, and North Sumatra. An oil palm plantation on peatland in Labuhan Batu, North Sumatra which was established since 1910, produced high yield for many years with no record of land fire. As this plantation was built based on a good understanding of peat soil characteristics, this model promises a glimmer of hope in supporting responsible peatland management scheme.
