inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), through the Lampung Quarantine Agency, has thwarted the circulation of 75,992 illegal oil palm seeds, which could potentially cause economic losses of up to IDR 42 billion per year to farmers.
Barantin Head Abdul Kadir Karding stated that the action was a form of state protection for farmers and the national palm oil industry from the circulation of counterfeit seeds and the risk of spreading pests and plant diseases.
While reporting on the developments in the case in Bandar Lampung, he emphasized that Barantin would pursue legal proceedings according to regulations if criminal elements were found in the distribution of the oil palm seeds.
Karding said the 75,992 seeds could be used to repopulate approximately 500 hectares of plantation land if all were planted.
The use of counterfeit seeds risks harming farmers because quality deficiencies are only discovered after the plants have been cultivated for three to four years and have entered the production phase.
Plants grown from substandard seeds have the potential to produce low yields, or even no fruit.
"Based on calculations by the Lampung Provincial Plantation Office, this situation has the potential to cause economic losses of around IDR 3.5 billion per month or around IDR 42 billion per year," said Karding.
The case was uncovered from February 11 to April 10, 2026. During that period, Lampung Quarantine officers detained 170 packages containing 75,992 oil palm seeds at the Cargo Terminal at Raden Inten II Airport, Lampung.
During the initial inspection, Barantin found several irregularities in the packaging and certificates bearing the name of the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS). None of the packages were accompanied by quarantine documents or other required documentation.
Barantin's investigation revealed that the seeds were marketed through several marketplaces and then shipped using an expedition service.
The seeds were sold for around IDR 1,300 per seed, significantly below the official PPKS seed price of around IDR 8,300 per seed.
The Lampung Quarantine Office discovered that the sender allegedly used a false identity, disguised the package contents as other goods, changed delivery locations, and delivered the package directly to the shipping counter to avoid tracking.
Verification with PT Bina Sawit Makmur, PPKS, PT Dami Mas Sejahtera, and the Lampung Province Seed Quality Monitoring and Testing Center confirmed that the seized seeds and accompanying documents were not authentic.
Karding stated that seeds that have not undergone quarantine inspection have the potential to carry pests and diseases that can spread to plantation areas, reduce productivity, and cause crop failure.
The Lampung Quarantine Office is coordinating with the Lampung Regional Police's Security Intelligence Directorate to track down those suspected of being involved in the distribution of the seeds.
Preliminary investigations indicate links between seller accounts at several marketplaces, which are suspected to point to a centralized network.
(ad/inp/pr/rs)
