InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) Secretary General, Rizal Affandi Lukman, emphasized the importance of fostering stronger engagement and dialogue between academics and students from higher education institutions in Indonesia and Malaysia. Speaking at the seminar titled "Engagement With Academicians and Student Leaders from Higher Institutions of Learning, Indonesia and Malaysia 2024," Rizal underscored the role of collaboration in addressing critical issues in the palm oil sector.
The seminar, held at the IPB International Convention Center in Bogor, is part of CPOPC's annual activities, following the success of a similar event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last year. Rizal expressed hope that the initiative would strengthen ties between CPOPC and the academic community while providing valuable insights into food contaminants, particularly those related to palm oil.
"Our goal is to present scientific evidence on contaminants in palm oil to the public," Rizal stated, addressing challenges posed by contaminants such as monochloropropanediol ester (3-MCPD Ester) and glycidol esters (GE), which have become a growing concern in the European Union market.
Key Discussions
Food Safety in Palm Oil, Azmil Haizan Ahmad Tarmizi, an expert from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), highlighted the need for mitigation efforts to reduce contaminants in palm oil. He noted that while not all contaminants pose health risks, minimizing exposure is crucial to ensuring palm oil remains safe for consumption.
Advancing Biodiesel in Indonesia, Tatang Hernas Soerawidjaja from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) discussed Indonesia's technological readiness for producing B40 and B50 biodiesel blends. He emphasized that the implementation of these blends depends more on financial considerations than technological limitations, as biodiesel is still more expensive than fossil-based diesel.
Tatang projected that palm oil consumption for B50 could reach 18 million metric tons, up from 11 million metric tons used for B35 in 2024. He also noted that while palm oil consumption in Indonesia has grown by an average of 7.6% annually since 2019, production has increased by less than 1% per year.
Youth Engagement through YEAs Program
In an effort to counter negative perceptions of palm oil, CPOPC launched the Young Elaeis Ambassadors (YEAs) program, targeting individuals aged 17-30. The program leverages social media as a platform for spreading awareness about sustainable palm oil management.
"We deeply appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication of these young ambassadors. We plan to expand the program, as leaving negative perceptions unaddressed will allow them to persist," Rizal concluded.
CPOPC's initiative highlights the organization's commitment to fostering collaboration, improving industry practices, and empowering youth to advocate for sustainable palm oil. (T2)
