PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) has officially launched the Indonesian Palm Oil Research Week (PERISAI) 2026, reaffirming its commitment to accelerating research commercialization and fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem for the country’s sustainable palm oil industry.
Carrying the theme “Shaping the Palm Oil Industry Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future,” this year’s event brings together government officials, researchers, academics, industry players, investors, smallholders, and students to promote collaboration and transform research into market-ready solutions.
BPDP President Director Eddy Abdurrachman emphasized that research should not remain confined to laboratories but must address industry challenges while delivering tangible benefits to society.
Also Read: BPDP Expands 2026 Research Grants Beyond Palm Oil, Opens Funding for Coconut and Cocoa
“Through PERISAI, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of research outcomes so that innovation becomes a practical solution capable of strengthening industrial competitiveness and improving community welfare,” Eddy said during the event attended by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday (July 20).
According to Eddy, Indonesia’s position as the world’s largest palm oil producer should be matched by leadership in research, innovation, and technology. Amid global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, the bioeconomy, and rising sustainability expectations, strategic investment in research is essential to maintaining productivity and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the national palm oil sector.
PERISAI 2026 has attracted approximately 1,300 participants, including representatives from ministries, government agencies, regional administrations, universities, research institutions, private companies, industry associations, investors, smallholders, students, and the general public.
Over the two-day event, participants are taking part in national seminars, panel discussions, business matching sessions, the Palm Oil Research Grant Showcase, a Student Innovation Competition, technology exhibitions, live demonstrations, and exhibitions featuring companies, universities, startups, research institutions, and industry partners.
A total of 24 BPDP-funded research projects and 10 student innovations are being showcased. Visitors can also experience demonstrations of advanced technologies, including biomass-based precast foam concrete, oil palm pollination drones, and Astaxanthin produced from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)—innovations that are moving toward commercialization.
Since launching its Palm Oil Research Grant Program in 2015, BPDP has funded 466 research contracts involving 109 research institutions, 1,873 researchers, and 383 university students. These projects have generated 395 scientific publications and 84 patents, providing a solid foundation for innovation across Indonesia’s palm oil value chain.
Also Read: BPDP Approves 42 Educational Institutions for 2026 Plantation Human Resources Development Program
In 2026, BPDP also signed 56 new research agreements, covering strategic topics such as national coconut development and readiness for implementing the B50 biodiesel program. The research portfolio spans oil palm cultivation, bioenergy, oleochemicals, biomaterials, environmental sustainability, socio-economic studies, and information technology.
Beyond research, BPDP continues to invest heavily in human capital development. The agency has partnered with 44 universities, awarded scholarships to 13,265 students, and trained more than 30,000 smallholders and plantation workers to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and best practices.
To date, more than 100 BPDP-funded innovations have entered the commercialization stage, ranging from Letters of Intent (LoIs) with industrial partners to the establishment of research-based startups.
Also Read: BPDP Targets Industry-Ready Research Through 2026 Grant Program
Looking ahead, BPDP reaffirmed its ambition to position Indonesia as a Global Hub for Sustainable Palm Oil Research and Innovation. Through PERISAI 2026, the agency hopes to expand the implementation of research-based innovations, strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s palm oil industry, and generate lasting benefits for smallholders, businesses, and society as a whole. (P3)
