BPDPKS Reveals Diverse and Sustainable Potentials of Palm Oil through the 'Million Benefits of Palm Oil' Talkshow

Kapanlagi.com - Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil in the world. It's no wonder that there are currently many food, beverage, and skincare products that use palm oil as raw material.

Talking about the importance of palm oil, the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP KS) recently held the 'Million Benefits of Palm Oil' talkshow on Wednesday (25/10/2023) at Azana Suite Hotel Antasari.

From the talkshow, it was explained that palm oil actually has many benefits that have not been widely known. What are they? Find out more below.

1. Palm Oil in Indonesia

Talkshow 'The Million Benefits of Palm Oil' (Photo Credit: Diadona.id)

The Central Intan Nurcahyani of the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (GAPKI) revealed that the palm oil industry has greatly helped the community, especially in efforts to alleviate poverty in rural areas.

"The impact of the palm oil industry can be one of the sources of income for workers. Poverty alleviation in rural areas is mainly due to the fact that most of its operational areas are located in remote areas," said Intan Nurcahyani in the talk show.

Referring to data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the palm oil industry in 2021 has provided employment opportunities for 16 million workers, both directly and indirectly.

Another interesting finding, according to Intan, is that the total area of palm oil plantations in Indonesia is only 8 percent of the total area of the country. However, with such a large scale, the Indonesian palm oil industry has become the number one contributor of non-oil and gas foreign exchange.

Some examples of areas in Indonesia that manage palm oil plantations include Aceh, Jambi, Riau, Kalimantan, Pekanbaru, and the largest number is in Sumatra.

2. The Potential of Products Produced by Palm Oil

Talkshow 'The Million Benefits of Palm Oil' (Photo Credit: Diadona.id)

Intan explained that palm oil products are also used for food, chocolate spread, margarine, bread, cereal, biscuits, chips, mayonnaise, and others.

"Previously, we only saw palm oil as cooking oil, only for frying, but actually our products, from the moment we wake up until we sleep again in 24 hours, there are so many products made from palm oil," said Intan.

Not only that, palm oil can also be used for skincare and cosmetics such as foundation, lipstick, powder, and beauty products. Other derivative products from palm oil include clothing, earrings, soap, shampoo, and anti-mosquito night cream.

To support the national foreign exchange, Intan revealed that Indonesia has been exporting crude palm oil, processed palm oil, and finished products based on palm oil such as cooking oil, biodiesel, and oleochemicals.

The abundance of these derivative products also encourages businesses to innovate in the utilization of palm oil for biodiesel. This innovation is considered a breakthrough in helping to increase the reserve of oil fuel, which has been heavily dependent on petroleum.

Biodiesel is a fuel made from a mixture of diesel and palm oil.

"The most popular use is in the energy sector, currently there is also appreciation for the government's program on biodiesel. This is a very good breakthrough because we cannot deny that our reserves of petroleum are running out, so what will we use in the future? So biodiesel is one of the programs that support the sustainability of the palm oil industry," explained Intan.

3. Commitment to Sustainability

Talkshow 'Million Benefits of Palm Goodness' (Photo Credit: Diadona.id)

In conducting its business, Intan ensures that all Gapki members, consisting of 725 companies, always commit to complying with regulations in conducting their operational business, including sustainability aspects.

"And regarding the issue of plantation management, we do pay great attention to sustainability aspects and also comply with regulations initiated by the government," Intan explained.

Gapki also targets the introduction of the palm oil industry to school children as a positive campaign in the field of education, especially for schools located near palm oil plantations.

"We have a special program in the positive campaign section, so currently we are moving towards launching a special compartment in the field of education by 2023," said Intan.

This campaign is carried out so that children can get to know the palm oil industry, which has a million benefits.

"So that children know, they grow up seeing palm oil, and their parents are palm oil farmers," said Intan.

In this talkshow, participants are also taught to utilize palm oil in a simple way by making soap made from palm oil as the main ingredient, along with Kertabumi Recycling Center, which is considered more natural and free from harmful substances for the body.

(kpl/gtr)