PALMOILMAGAZINE, BOGOR — Efforts to boost Indonesia’s palm oil productivity remain constrained by complex structural challenges, particularly genetic limitations and biological risks, according to industry experts.
Dwi Asmono, Head of Research and Development at the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, emphasized that improving yields is not a straightforward task, as productivity is shaped by a combination of genetic, environmental, and biosecurity factors.
Indonesia’s current productivity level, which stands at around 3.7 tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per hectare, underscores the scale of the challenge facing the industry.
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“Many people ask why we haven’t reached seven tons per hectare. But the key question is whether our genetic resources are strong enough to get us there,” he said during a discussion attended by Palmoilmagazine.com in Bogor in late October 2025.
Historical Roots and Genetic Constraints
Dwi explained that the genetic limitations of Indonesia’s oil palm stem from its historical origins. The crop was first introduced during the colonial era, when around 503 oil palm seedlings were brought from West Africa to Bogor Botanical Gardens in 1848.
From this relatively small genetic base, oil palm cultivation expanded into millions of hectares across the country. However, this narrow origin has resulted in limited genetic diversity.
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“From a genetic standpoint, this represents a significant bottleneck,” he noted, warning that low diversity increases vulnerability to diseases and climate change.
He likened the situation to inbreeding, stressing the need for “new genetic material” to strengthen the resilience of Indonesia’s oil palm industry.
Expanding Genetic Resources with Caution
To address these constraints, GAPKI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), has been working to enrich the country’s oil palm genetic resources.
This includes introducing planting materials from regions such as West Africa, South America, and Tanzania to expand the genetic pool. However, Dwi cautioned that such efforts must be carefully managed due to biosecurity risks.
Strict quarantine measures are essential to prevent the introduction of dangerous diseases, including phytophthora bud rot and ganoderma root rot, both of which pose serious threats to plantations in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia has previously faced similar challenges. Dwi recalled how the introduction of hybrid coconut seedlings without proper controls led to disease outbreaks that severely impacted the coconut industry in the early 1990s.
“That mistake must not be repeated in oil palm,” he stressed.
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Balancing Innovation and Risk Management
Dwi concluded that palm oil research and development must strike a balance between innovation and caution. While increasing productivity remains a priority, safeguarding long-term industry resilience is equally critical.
“Innovation is important, but without biosecurity, the risks are enormous. Once a disease enters, the impact can last for decades,” he said.
The statement highlights that improving Indonesia’s palm oil productivity will depend not only on technological advancements, but also on strengthening genetic foundations and ensuring robust biosecurity systems. (P2)
