PALMOILMAGAZINE, SANUR – Jean-Marc Roda, Director of CIRAD Southeast Asia, outlined four major challenges confronting the global vegetable oil industry during the 7th International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) in Sanur, Bali. These challenges include food security, energy resilience, climate change, and knowledge dissemination across all stakeholders.
Speaking under the theme “Agro-Ecological Transformation of Palm Oil: Towards Climate-Friendly and Sustainable Agriculture,” Roda emphasized that food security remains a primary concern as global demand for vegetable oils continues to rise.
“Production must be increased without excessive land expansion, which risks damaging ecosystems. The industry needs to focus on the most efficient vegetable oil sources to optimize its future,” Roda stated in his keynote speech at ICOPE 2025, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (Feb 12, 2025).
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Sustainability is another critical factor. Addressing challenges related to energy, waste management, and resource efficiency requires innovative solutions. Roda stressed that as global consumers demand greater transparency and sustainability in supply chains, the industry must adapt to higher environmental and ethical standards.
Climate change also poses a significant risk. Roda highlighted its impact on ecosystems, including biodiversity loss and shifting weather patterns that disrupt harvests. He urged collective action to develop solutions that mitigate climate change’s effects on the agriculture and plantation sectors.
The fourth major challenge is the equitable dissemination of scientific knowledge, particularly to smallholder farmers. While large corporations can swiftly adopt innovations, small-scale farmers often lack the resources to do so. Ensuring that new technologies and best practices are accessible to all stakeholders is crucial for industry-wide transformation.
Concluding his session, Roda touched on the role of digitalization in revolutionizing the vegetable oil sector. He noted that while digital technologies offer numerous benefits, they also bring new challenges that must be addressed. Continuous dialogue and evaluation are essential to ensure that digital advancements are implemented in an inclusive and sustainable manner for all stakeholders. (P2)
