PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (PFMA or BPDPKS) have jointly organized a webinar to promote the 2025 Palm Oil Research Grant. This initiative aims to drive research and innovation in the palm oil industry, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in the sector.
Arfie Thahar, Head of BPDPKS’s Program Services Division, explained that BPDPKS research funds are sourced from levies on palm oil businesses collected through palm oil and derivative exports. These funds are allocated to various programs supporting research and development in the palm oil sector.
“One of the six main programs managed by BPDPKS is research and development,” Arfie stated during the Call for Proposal session for the 2025 Palm Oil Research Grant and Palm Oil Research Competition, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from BRIN’s official website on Friday (March 14, 2025).
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According to Arfie, the program facilitates research that enhances industry development, particularly in cost efficiency and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) price optimization. Upstream-to-downstream collaboration is expected to support the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil sector.
Arfie emphasized that research funding aims to boost productivity and efficiency, especially for smallholder plantations that still struggle with low yields. Additionally, the program supports research to counter negative perceptions about palm oil with scientifically valid evidence.
“Another key objective is to encourage the creation of new products and markets, including downstream palm oil products that can replace imports or establish new market segments,” he added.
Furthermore, he stressed that research outcomes must be applicable—whether as commercialized products or technologies, or as policies that can be implemented by the government and farmers to improve livelihoods.
“The research program covers all aspects of the palm oil industry, including cultivation, post-harvest processing, food and health, bioenergy, oleochemicals and biomaterials, environmental sustainability, as well as socio-economic, business, and information technology fields,” he concluded. (P2)
