InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – Indonesia's palm oil industry's annual production is valued at Rp440 trillion, making it a key pillar of the national economy. However, behind that fantastic figure are often-forgotten tiny players: pollinating insects.
"Without the presence of pollinating insects, palm oil production would decline by 70–80 percent," said Prof. Purnama Hidayat, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, during a press conference for the IPB University Professor Scientific Oration in late May 2025.
He emphasized that of the total Rp440 trillion in palm oil production, about Rp300 trillion could vanish if pollinating insects were not part of the palm oil ecosystem. "Indonesia is fortunate to have ecological conditions that support the presence of natural pollinating insects," he added, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from IPB University on Sunday (9/7/2025).
Prof. Purnama cited Malaysia's experience of having to import the insect Elaeidobius kamerunicus from Africa to ensure successful palm oil pollination. "Because the palm oil plant originated in Africa, the insects were also brought to Malaysia," he explained.
This, he said, is a reminder that the presence of insects cannot be underestimated. Without them, pollination would have to be done manually—a nearly impossible task given the millions of hectares of palm oil plantations spread across Indonesia.
Beyond just pollination, insects also have the potential to be an alternative source of protein. In Thailand, Vietnam, and China, insect consumption is already a culinary tradition. "The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) even refers to insects as the cheapest and most energy-efficient source of protein," Prof. Purnama said.
He believes that although eating insects is currently considered unusual by the Indonesian public, it could become a new habit in the next 20–30 years.
In the context of sustainable agriculture, insects also act as natural pest controllers. Prof. Purnama mentioned the practice of a sugar company in Lampung that successfully reduced its use of insecticides by up to 80 percent by utilizing predatory insects. "This shows that insects are not only important for palm oil but also for maintaining the balance of the broader agricultural ecosystem," he said.
At the end of his presentation, Prof. Purnama urged all stakeholders—academics, industry, and the public—to better appreciate and develop the potential of insects. "They are vital ecosystem workers. Without insects, we lose a lot, not just palm oil yields but also the future of food sustainability," he concluded. (T2)
