PALMOILMAGAZINE, BEKASI – The Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) reaffirmed the vital role of palm oil as a strategic commodity for Indonesia’s sustainable development. This message was delivered by Evita Legowo, Chairperson of the BPDP Supervisory Board, during her inaugural lecture at Citra Widya Edukasi Palm Oil Polytechnic (Poltek CWE) under the theme “Palm Oil for the Nation: Investing in Human Capital Toward Indonesia Emas 2045.”
Evita emphasized that palm oil has remained a cornerstone of Indonesia’s economy, even through the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that the country now leads the world in biodiesel production through its B40 mandatory program.
“Palm oil has the highest productivity among all vegetable oils — even the European Union recognizes Indonesia’s strength,” she said.
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However, challenges persist. Productivity among smallholders remains low—around 3.5 tons of CPO per hectare per year, well below the potential 6–8 tons. Negative international campaigns and land governance issues in forest areas also remain major obstacles. To address these, BPDP continues to promote downstream development, smallholder replanting programs (PSR), and the provision of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery.
Aligned with Indonesia’s net-zero emission goals, BPDP is also intensifying research into renewable energy derived from palm oil. Palm waste is being studied as a source for producing bioethanol that can be blended with fossil fuels.
“We must reduce global energy dependency on fossil fuels. Palm oil holds great promise as a clean energy source,” Evita noted.
She further highlighted that investing in human capital is crucial to the long-term sustainability of the palm oil industry. BPDP aims to reach 11,000 beneficiaries through scholarships, vocational programs, and managerial training for farmers, planters, and workers.
“Scholarships are an investment in the younger generation — the future guardians of Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil sector,” she said.
Evita concluded by reaffirming BPDP’s commitment to managing plantation funds professionally and transparently. The agency’s broader mission is to advance sustainable plantation development through human resource empowerment, research, promotion, downstream innovation, and clean energy.
“Net-zero emissions are not just a government agenda but a national responsibility. BPDP is committed to preparing a generation ready to lead Indonesia toward its Golden Vision 2045,” she concluded. (T2)
