PALMOILMAGAZINE, DELI SERDANG – President Joko Widodo inaugurated a red palm cooking oil mill in Pagar Merbau, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province on Thursday, March 14th, 2024. The government’s initiative garnered attention as it not only contributed to economic development but also promised to enhance the nutritional intake of the population.
As a pilot project, the mill represents significant progress in improving the welfare of smallholders and offering a more nutritious food alternative for the people. In his address, President Joko Widodo encouraged the public to consume red palm oil for its nutritional benefits.
The successful completion of the project was attributed to the diligent efforts of the Ministry of Cooperation and Small and Medium Enterprises. Arief Prasetyo Adi, Head of the National Food Agency (NFA), expressed his appreciation for these efforts.
Also Read: President Joko Widodo Launches Red Palm Cooking Oil Pilot Project in North Sumatera
To ensure the affordability of red palm cooking oil, the government is committed to selling it at a more competitive price compared to other palm cooking oils in the market. Arief also underscored the roles of the NFA, Perum Bulog, and ID Food in distributing it, ensuring that more people can benefit from its advantages.
Not only being economic, red palm cooking oil is better in nutrition. Arief told it could be part of stunting case to be solve, which is a health issue that the government concerns with. “By having cooperation with Badan Kependudukan dan Keluarga Berencana Nasional (BKKBN), it is hoped the red palm cooking oil would increase the people’s health,” he said, as Palmoilmagazine.com quoted from the official page of Bapanas, Saturday (15/3/2024).
Also Read: PTPN Holding Establishes Mini Mill Research Laboratory to Enhance IPB Students’ Skills
Minister of Cooperation, Small and Medium Business, Teten Masduki did support red palm cooking oil consumption as the solution to stunting issue. He told the government should intervene to escalate nutrition by consuming it.
Red palm cooking oil mill in Pagar Merbau was the collaborative project between the private and public sectors that PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) would manage. With the technology support from PT Riset Perkebunan Nusantara and Pusat Penelitian Kelapa Sawit (PPKS), the mill is the real commitment to develop plantation sector and smallholders’ welfare. (T2)
