Jakarta, Aug. 24 -- The village-based Sejahtera Cooperative in Musi Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, has taken a more visionary path than most Indonesian oil palm farmers who typically supply companies with fresh fruit bunches (FFB).

Refusing to remain mere suppliers, the cooperative established its own crude palm oil (CPO) processing facility capable of handling 45 metric tons of FFB per hour. Cooperative Minister Ferry Juliantono inaugurated the plant on Aug. 12, echoing government support for the revival of Indonesian cooperatives.

Thamrin, chair of the Sejahtera Cooperative, said the factory embodies members' shared dream of gaining a stronger foothold in the agriculture sector.

The cooperative's palm replanting program in 2018-2...