PALMOILMAGAZINE, BOGOR, WEST JAVA — Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), Sahat Manaor Panggabean, reaffirmed the agency’s strong commitment to supporting sustainable palm oil development as a vital pillar of national food and energy security.
He made the statement during the Karantina Day 2025 Talkshow titled “From Quarantine to Sustainable Palm Oil: Supporting Indonesia’s Food and Energy Security,” held on Friday (Oct 24, 2025) and attended by Palmoilmagazine.com.
In his remarks, Sahat highlighted the long history of Indonesia’s quarantine institution, which dates back to 1877 — now standing at 148 years. Initially, the agency focused on tackling coffee leaf rust disease that plagued plantations across the archipelago. Over time, Barantin has evolved to address modern challenges, including its role in strengthening the palm oil sector — a backbone of Indonesia’s economy.
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“Quarantine will always support efforts toward sustainable palm oil development. We must enhance collaboration among the government, research institutions, academia, and industry players to improve national palm oil productivity,” Sahat said before an audience of palm industry stakeholders.
He emphasized that Indonesia’s potential to boost palm oil productivity remains significant. With strong research support and the application of appropriate technologies, yields could rise from the current 4 tons per hectare to as high as 10 tons per hectare.
Sahat also underscored the importance of innovation, particularly in developing superior palm varieties and utilizing natural pollinators to optimize yields. He urged all parties to take proactive roles in research rather than waiting for central government directives.
“If we want to move forward together, we must act together. The government cannot work alone. Research institutions, universities, and industries must support one another,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Sahat noted that Barantin is ready to collaborate with both domestic and international research institutions to strengthen Indonesia’s agricultural sector, especially palm oil.
The Karantina Day 2025 Talkshow formed part of the broader celebration of Indonesian Quarantine Day. Beyond being a scientific discussion forum, the event aimed to foster cross-sector synergy in building a resilient and sustainable agricultural and energy system.
“We hope this spirit of collaboration becomes a concrete step toward Indonesia’s food and energy self-sufficiency,” Sahat concluded. (P2)
