InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia's mandatory B50 biodiesel program is expected to do more than strengthen the country's energy security—it should also become a catalyst for raising the productivity of the nation's oil palm plantations, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking during a press conference on the sidelines of the Indonesian Palm Oil Research Conference (PERISAI) 2026, attended by InfoSAWIT on Monday (July 20), Acting Director General of Plantations Heru Tri Widarto said Indonesia still has significant opportunities to improve yields, particularly among smallholder plantations.
He noted that productivity enhancement has become increasingly important as domestic palm oil demand continues to grow following the nationwide implementation of the B50 biodiesel mandate.
"There is still considerable room to improve Indonesia's palm oil productivity. The B50 biodiesel program should encourage us to further increase national palm oil production," Heru said.
According to him, stronger production can be achieved through wider adoption of good agricultural practices, the use of certified high-quality planting materials, and continuous capacity building for smallholders.
Beyond agronomic improvements, Heru emphasized that developing skilled human resources remains equally critical. He stressed that research institutions, extension services, and training programs must work together to ensure new technologies and cultivation innovations are effectively transferred to farmers.
"Increasing production cannot rely solely on government programs. Farmers' knowledge and technical capabilities must also continue to improve so they can successfully implement modern cultivation technologies," he explained.
Heru added that the government has already supported the development of approximately 360,000 hectares of oil palm plantations through various technical assistance and investment initiatives involving both public and private stakeholders.
Rather than relying primarily on plantation expansion, Indonesia intends to maximize production from existing plantations by improving yields while maintaining sustainability commitments.
He believes that securing sufficient domestic feedstock will be one of the key factors determining the long-term success of the B50 biodiesel policy.
"We must seize this opportunity to build a palm oil industry that is more productive, more efficient, and more competitive, enabling Indonesia to meet growing domestic demand while maintaining its leadership in the global palm oil market," Heru concluded. (T2)
