PALMOILMAGAZINE, BATAM — Amid the bustling crowd at Nagoya Hill Mall Batam during the Indonesia Tourism and Trade Investment Expo (ITTIE) 2025, one booth stood out—the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). Far more than just a product showcase, BPDP’s booth offered an immersive experience, featuring interactive activities such as batik-making with palm-based wax and open discussions on sustainability.
BPDP’s participation marked a strategic shift in how the palm oil industry communicates. No longer focused solely on production figures and exports, the industry is now working to build public understanding that palm oil is an integral part of everyday life—and can thrive in harmony with sustainability principles.
One of the event’s highlights was a batik session using canting tools and wax made from red palm oil derivatives. Schoolchildren, accompanied by curious parents, eagerly tried their hand at batik.
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“We want to introduce palm oil in more practical and relatable ways. Kids need to understand that palm oil isn’t just cooking oil—it’s also in batik wax, cosmetics, and even bioenergy,” said Adi Sucipto, Head of General Affairs and Human Resources at BPDP, in a statement to Palmoilmagazine.com on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Adi emphasized that palm oil education shouldn’t be limited to plantation areas. Cities like Batam, though not palm-producing hubs, play a key role in consumption and distribution. “In places like Batam, creative outreach is essential to help people understand palm oil’s broader impact,” he added.
BPDP’s presence at ITTIE 2025 is part of its broader mission to promote key programs to the public—ranging from smallholder oil palm replanting (PSR) and research and innovation, to human resource development and support for MSMEs in the palm oil value chain.
The expo served as a cross-sector platform for BPDP to engage with stakeholders—from investors and traders to academics and everyday consumers. This multi-stakeholder approach is essential to shape a palm oil industry that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and open to critique.
“We must continue strengthening the message that Indonesia’s palm oil industry is transforming. It’s not inherently linked to deforestation—when managed properly, it can be part of the solution,” Adi said.
By participating in ITTIE 2025—a gathering point for tourism, trade, and investment sectors—BPDP demonstrated how palm oil downstreaming can align with the growth of other industries.
The agency showcased various palm-based products, including eco-friendly cosmetics, batik wax, and healthy food items—all wrapped in clear, youth-friendly narratives aimed at younger generations who are often skeptical about traditional plantations.
“We want to show that palm oil-based MSMEs have real potential to scale up. With sustainable practices and the right tech, these products can enter export markets and even tourism channels,” said a BPDP staff member at the booth.
Over the course of the four-day event (June 26–29), hundreds of visitors from diverse backgrounds explored BPDP’s booth. While some were curious or skeptical, many walked away with a fresh perspective—realizing that palm oil is already part of their daily lives, from soap to batik.
“Through interactive education like this, we hope people gain a more complete view of the palm oil industry. Behind its complexity, there are real efforts underway to reform and improve,” Adi concluded.
BPDP’s initiative is more than just a promotion—it’s a response to future challenges, uniting sustainability, competitiveness, and public engagement in one forward-looking movement. Rather than simply defending palm oil, the agency is opening dialogue for a more just and sustainable future for Indonesia’s palm industry. (P2)
