Jakarta, June 8 -- President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly instructed a 10 percent increase in the price of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from oil palm, in line with rising global crude palm oil (CPO) prices.

"The president is defending 15 million farmers, saying FFB prices must return to their original levels, and even increase by 10 percent," Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said here on Monday.

According to him, the directive underscores the importance of protecting the welfare of around 15 million oil palm farmers by restoring FFB prices and encouraging further increases.

He said the adjustment is reasonable, supported by the upward trend in global CPO prices and the strengthening US dollar against the rupiah.

Sulaiman noted...