PALMOILMAGAZINE, PALEMBANG — Efforts to lift Indonesia’s palm oil productivity took center stage at the Technical Meeting on Palm Oil Plantations and Mills themed “Strategies for Successfully Boosting Palm Oil Productivity”, held at Aryaduta Hotel in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Tuesday (December 9, 2025).
In his opening remarks, Indonesian Planters Society (IPS) Chairman Jamalul outlined key achievements and strategic challenges facing the palm oil sector as it heads toward 2026.
Jamalul said Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production by the end of 2025 is estimated at 46–47 million tons, accounting for around 58% of global output. The figure reinforces Indonesia’s status as the world’s largest palm oil producer and a critical pillar of global vegetable oil supply stability.
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Global CPO production, he noted, stands at roughly 80.3 million tons, with Indonesia and Malaysia together controlling 85–87% of worldwide supply. Export destinations remain largely unchanged, with India, China, and the European Union continuing to rank as Indonesia’s main markets.
Despite the strong production performance, Jamalul warned that the industry continues to face serious long-term challenges. Ganoderma disease, climate change, and suboptimal replanting programs pose real threats to plantation productivity.
“If pest and disease issues are not addressed seriously, plantation yields will continue to erode,” he said in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (December 10, 2025). He stressed that improved land sanitation, the use of disease-resistant seedlings, and more disciplined plantation management standards are essential preventive measures.
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Technology adoption also featured prominently in the discussion. IPS highlighted that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is beginning to deliver tangible results on the ground. These technologies enable real-time monitoring of plantation conditions, faster detection of pest outbreaks, and greater operational efficiency—from fertilization to harvesting.
“This is no longer future technology; it has become a basic necessity to achieve higher productivity,” Jamalul said.
Sustainable farming practices were also deemed increasingly vital to maintaining the competitiveness of Indonesia’s palm oil industry. The use of organic fertilizers, improved waste management, and greater water efficiency were cited as key steps toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable production.
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Upstream, the importance of high-quality seedlings was once again underscored as a fundamental driver of yield improvement. Seedlings derived from superior parent trees are seen as capable of delivering significant productivity gains due to their higher resistance to pests and diseases, as well as optimal yield potential.
“Investing in superior seedlings is an investment in the future of the palm oil industry,” Jamalul said.
The technical meeting served as a consolidation platform for planters, mill operators, researchers, and academics to strengthen collaboration in navigating the dynamics of the global palm oil industry. With a combination of technology adoption, improved plantation management, and a strong commitment to sustainability, IPS believes Indonesia’s palm oil productivity can continue to be strengthened in the years ahead. (P2)
