Indonesian corruption commission wants 90% of palm oil levy to go to farmers

In Indonesia, a UCA news agency reports that the Prevention Bureau of the Corruption Eradication Commission wants 90% of the $2.1 billion in revenues generated from a levy on palm oil exports to go towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder oil palm farmers rather than subsidizing oil companies like Pertamina for blending biodiesel. The Commission is calling for transparency in the levy fund’s management. Farmers say fertilizer and better seedlings could be purchased with the funds to improve yields.