InfoSAWIT, BATAM – Amidst the bustling crowds at Nagoya Hill Mall Batam during the Indonesia Tourism and Trade Investment Expo (ITTIE) 2025, one booth stood out: the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), which not only showcased palm oil derivative products but also offered interactive experiences—from batik-making with palm oil wax to open discussions on sustainability.
BPDP's presence at this national exhibition marks a significant transformation in the communication strategy of the palm oil industry. It is no longer just about production and export figures but delves deeper: building public understanding that palm oil is part of life and can grow in harmony with sustainability principles.
One of the most captivating activities was the canting batik-making using palm oil-based wax. School children eagerly tried their hand at batik, accompanied by their curious parents.
“We want to introduce palm oil in a more practical way. Children need to know that palm oil is not just cooking oil in the kitchen, but can also be used for batik wax, cosmetics, and even bioenergy,” said Adi Sucipto, Head of the General and Human Resources Division of BPDP, in an official statement to InfoSAWIT on Saturday (June 28, 2025).
He emphasized that public education should not be exclusive to palm oil-producing regions. Batam, although not a palm oil plantation center, plays a crucial role in the distribution and consumption of derivative products. “In cities like Batam, promotional approaches must be creative to help the public better understand palm oil's contributions,” he added.
BPDP's participation in ITTIE 2025 aligns with the agency's mandate to widely socialize various strategic programs to the public—ranging from financing for the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation (PSR), research and innovation, human resource capacity building, to support for palm oil SMEs.
Through forums like ITTIE, BPDP aims to engage various stakeholders across sectors: from investors and trade players to academics and the general public. This approach is vital for shaping an inclusive, adaptive image of the palm oil industry that is not allergic to criticism.
“We need to continue strengthening the narrative that the Indonesian palm oil industry is undergoing transformation. Palm oil is not synonymous with deforestation but can be part of the solution if managed correctly,” said Adi Sucipto.
The ITTIE 2025 event, which brings together tourism, trade, and investment players, serves as a strategic platform for BPDP to demonstrate that palm oil downstreaming can coexist with the growth of other sectors.
At the exhibition, BPDP showcased various palm oil derivative products, from environmentally friendly cosmetics and batik wax to healthy food options. All were presented in narratives that are easy to understand, especially for the younger generation, who tend to be skeptical of conventional plantation industries.
“We want to show that palm oil SMEs have great potential to upscale. If managed with an environmentally friendly approach and supported by technology, palm oil-based SME products can enter export and tourism markets,” said one of the BPDP staff members at the booth.
During the four-day exhibition from June 26 to 29, hundreds of visitors from various backgrounds stopped by the BPDP booth. Some were curious, some skeptical, but many left with a new understanding that palm oil is part of daily life—from the soap they use to the batik they wear.
“Through interactive education like this, we hope the public can see the palm oil industry more holistically. That behind its complexities, there are efforts to improve and transform,” said Adi.
BPDP's initiatives serve as a response to future challenges, aiming to unite sustainability, competitiveness, and public acceptance in a collective movement. And that is what they strive to achieve—not just promoting but opening dialogue for a fairer and more sustainable future for Indonesia's palm oil industry. (T2)
