InfoSAWIT, KUBU RAYA – Thousands of palm oil farmers from various regions in Indonesia will gather in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, for the 5th Indonesian Palm Oil Smallholder Conference and Expo (IPOSC). This largest-ever meeting of palm oil farmer organizations will be held from September 24–26, 2025, at the Q Qubu Resort Hotel, organized by the Association of Indonesian Jaya Palm Oil Farmers (POPSI) with support from Media Perkebunan.
POPSI Chairman, Mansuetus Darto, emphasized that IPOSC is not just a routine forum but a moment for reflection and strengthening the capacity of palm oil farmers to face modern-day challenges. "IPOSC is a venue for reflection and empowerment of Indonesian palm oil farmers so they can be more advanced and sustainable, in line with the demands of the modern market," he said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Friday (8/29/2025).
During the meeting, farmers will not only engage in discussions but also formulate important resolutions. The results will later be submitted to the government as policy input and serve as a push for companies to be fairer and more supportive of farmer empowerment.
Darto added that IPOSC 2025 will also highlight the latest dynamics in the palm oil industry, including the presence of Agrinas, which now manages palm oil plantations taken over by the government in forest areas. "This meeting will encourage the Indonesian palm oil industry to be more farmer-friendly. The hope is that farmers will become more transformative in facing the modern market, while the state becomes more sensitive to their conditions," he said.
Hot Topics: From Regulations to Pests
Various strategic issues will be discussed at the forum, ranging from farmer-company partnerships, the partnership-based People’s Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program (PSR), the Cultivation Registration Certificate (STDB), to the European Union’s policies through the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
In addition, certification for the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) as well as technical challenges such as Ganoderma disease, rhinoceros beetle attacks, fire caterpillars, and the control of Elaeidobius pests will also be on the agenda. Several national speakers are scheduled to attend, including representatives from the Directorate General of Plantations (Dirjenbun), the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), and Fortasbi.
In addition to the conference, IPOSC 2025 will also feature the largest palm oil expo in West Kalimantan. According to Hendra J. Purba, POPSI Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, the expo will be attended by producers of superior seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, harvesting equipment, and modern agricultural machinery.
"For palm oil farmers in Kubu Raya and West Kalimantan, this is a golden opportunity to interact directly with agricultural input producers. Farmers will have great access to products that can increase the productivity of their plantations," Hendra explained.
With this major meeting, POPSI hopes that palm oil farmers will become stronger in facing global pressure, both from international trade regulations and technical challenges in the field. At the same time, the expo will serve as a platform for farmers to network, broaden their knowledge, and open up opportunities for fairer partnerships.
The 5th IPOSC is designed not only as a space for discussion but also as a stage to celebrate the existence of palm oil farmers in Indonesia. From Kubu Raya, the voice of farmers is expected to echo to policy centers and global arenas, carrying the message that palm oil farmers are not just policy recipients but crucial actors in maintaining the sustainability of the national palm oil industry. (T2)
