What’s Wrong with Palm Oil, Why is it Accused of Damaging the Environment?

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Almasdi Syahza, Mitri Irianti, Suwondo, Besri Nasrul

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the strategies for empowering rural economies based on oil palm in an effort to control the potential environmental impacts in the development of oil palm plantations. The research location in Riau Province area. The commodity of palm oil is the most popular especially in the Riau region. The area of oil palm plantations in 2001 was 1,119,798 ha, increasing to 2,503,566 ha in 2017 with an average growth of 5.16% per year. Other plantations such as rubber and coconut actually experienced a decline. The expansion of the plantation area is followed by an increase in the production of crude palm oil. The CPO production capability in the Riau region is supported by 261 units of palm oil mill (POM) with a capacity of processing 12,470 tons per hour. Oil palm plantation activities contribute to the regional and national economy. Oil palm farming has proven to be able to improve the welfare of the community and reduce poverty. The government has issued a policy, the development of oil palm plantations must be in line with the goals of sustainable development (SDGs)

Citation: Syahza, A ., Irianti, M., Suwondo., Nasrul, B., (2020). What’s Wrong with Palm Oil, Why is it Accused of Damaging the Environment? Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Volume 1655, Number 012134. http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1655/1/012134

Peatland Policy and Management Strategy to Support Sustainable Development in Indonesia

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Almasdi Syahzaa, Suswondo, Djaimi Bakce, Besri Nasrul, Wawan, Mitri Irianti

The existence of peatlands plays a very important role both locally, regionally, and globally. Besides having an ecological function to maintain biodiversity and environmental balance, it also has its economic and socio-cultural functions. Furthermore, it has provided enormous benefits for life and has had positive social and economic impacts. Peat ecosystems have been damaged due to the mismanagement of land. Areas that play specific roles in its sustainability have been converted to lands for business activities, which contradicts their characteristic function. Land cover restoration policies will be useful for improving the quality of participatory-based land cover, protecting peat domes, and conserving watersheds (DAS). An increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which occurs due to insufficient peatland management is a serious threat to local communities and their livelihoods. Furthermore, the ecosystem can be conserved by ensuring that water is properly managed, drainage to cultivated areas is limited and peat swamp forest systems are protected. The application of eco-hydro technology can be beneficial to biodiversity as it minimizes degradation, reduces carbon emissions, and prevents fires

Citation: Syahza, A., Suswondo., Bakce, D., Nasrul, B., Wawan., Irianti, M., (2020). Peatland Policy and Management Strategy to Support Sustainable Development in Indonesia. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Volume 1655, Number 012151. http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1655/1/012151

Design and Modelling and to Improve Battery Charging Efficiency using Photovoltaics

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Azriyenni Azhari Zakri, Almasdi Syahza, Dirman Hanafi, Hanggun Syahadad

In order to make the charging process of the battery easier, it needs to possess a design tool with suitable characteristics. One of the main characteristics of the battery is the State of Charge (SoC) or simply the battery capacity, which is calculated with the help of the initial voltage value. In this process, a 100Wp photovoltaic panel with 12V DC voltage is applied. The method used is experimental and simulation/modeling, and its purpose is to optimize the efficiency of the process of battery charging. Furthermore, the Arduino microcontroller, which functions are a detector during battery charging, was used to determine the current and voltage sensor controller circuit. The voltage and SoC on the battery are automatically monitored via the LCD and on the SD card using the data logger shield module. ICM algorithm used for modeling-simulation in this study is one of the MPPT type used by photovoltaic systems that work at optimum conditions, thereby producing maximum power. The results showed that the battery charging simulation increased by 0.05% every 30 minutes. Furthermore, the simulation validation using Matlab/Simulink is carried out with data in accordance with the prototype design, at an efficiency of 88.37%.

Citation: Zakri, A. A., Syahza, A ., Hanafi, D.,  Syahadad, H., (2020). Design and Modelling and to Improve Battery Charging Efficiency using Photovoltaics, Technology Reports of Kansai University, Volume 62, Issue 08, Pages 4667- 4677

Potential Development of Leading Commodities in Coastal Areas Riau, Indonesia

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Almasdi Syahza,  Djaimi Bakce, Mitri Irianti,  Brilliant Asmit

Background and Objective: Most of the Riau Province in Indonesia is part of the community lives on peatlands. The development of plantations has caused income inequality between regions and farmers. The research objective was to examine the potential for accelerating rural economic development through the development of leading commodities in coastal areas. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted through a survey with developmental research. For accurate information performed with the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) method. The main commodities are based on land area, production, and the number of farmers involved in agricultural activities. The potential of superior commodities in terms of farm efficiency and opportunities to create added value for farmers. Results: The development of the agricultural sector especially plantation commodities has caused income inequality between regions and farmers, especially with oil palm, rubber, sago, and coconut farmers. The palm oil commodity has guaranteed market potential. Rubber, sago, and coconut farmers face the monopsony market. The results of the study provide information on the acceleration of economic development in coastal areas through the development of plantation commodities. Conclusion: The results of the study can be taken into consideration for policymakers for community development in coastal areas. Suitable commodities developed in coastal areas are sago, coconut, rubber, and palm oil.

Citation: Syahza, A., Bakce, B., Irianti, M., Asmit, B., (2020). Potential Development of Leading Commodities in Coastal Areas Riau, Indonesia. Journal of Applied Sciences. Volume 20, Number 5. Pages 173-181. http://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2020.173.181

Corporate Governance Mechanism And Financial Performance: Role of Earnings Management

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Enni Savitri, Andreas, Almasdi Syahza, Tatang Ary Gumanti, Nik Herda Nik Abdullah

The mechanism of good corporate governance is used to prevent the management of the company from engaging in unethical actions, such as earnings management. It can be an effective way to control management. This study aims to analyze corporate governance, consisting of the size of the board of commissioners, the size of the sharia supervisory board, and the audit committee on financial performance, measured as return on assets (ROA), with earnings management as the mediating variable. The sample used for the study consists of nine Indonesian shariah banks and the period of the analysis is 2013-2017. The results of the path analysis show that the size of the board of commissioners has a negative effect on the company’s ROA. The study also finds that the size of the sharia supervisory board, audit committee and earnings management do not have significant effects on financial performance. Earnings management has a positive mediating role on the relationship between the board of commissioners, the audit committee and ROA. This finding indicates that the existence of the board of commissioners is effective in supervising the management. Thus the mechanism corporate governance can limit the managers’ discretionary behavior and prevent earnings management.

Citation: Savitri, E., Andreas, A., Syahza, A., Gumanti, T. A., Abdullah, N. H. N., (2020). Corporate Governance Mechanism And Financial Performance: Role of Earnings Management, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues. Volume 7, Number 4, Pages 3395-3409. http://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.7.4(54)

Erosion Control in Sustainable Plantation Development Efforts in Siak Watershed Region, Riau Province, Indonesia

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Mitri Irianti, Besri Nasrul, Almasdi Syahza

Background and Objective: The rapid development of agriculture and settlements has led to several land conversion, and one of such affected locations is upstream of the Siak watershed in Riau Province, Indonesia. Land degradation occurs due to soil erosion, which may cause flooding and drought. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the factors causing erosion and determine how to control it. Materials and Methods: The survey method of observing and measuring soil samples, vegetation, and soil conservation techniques applied in each land unit was used. Rainfall data, soil characteristics, slopes, crop management, and soil conservation techniques were collected and analyzed using USLE. Results: The results showed that the erosion in the Siak watershed is relatively high (339 tons/ ha/year). Furthermore, the plant management and soil conservation techniques did not follow the required principles, and the erosion control was determined by improving crop management and soil conservation techniques in an integrated manner at each unit of land. This step was expected to reduce erosion in the Siak watershed. Conclusion: The erosion control in open land areas resulting from clearing need to get top priority. Guidance in the form of counseling and specifically regarding the soil conservation method needs to be carried out earlier and in stages to all landowners.

Citation: Irianti, M., B. Nasrul., A. Syahza., (2020). Erosion Control in Sustainable Plantation Development Efforts in Siak Watershed Region, Riau Province, Indonesia. Asian Journal of Scientific Research. Volume 13, No 4. Pages 259-269. http://doi.org/10.3923/ajsr.2020.259.269