InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Curiosity about Indonesia’s palm oil industry took Pakistani student Badar Ahmad far beyond the information he had encountered online. What began with questions shaped by social media discussions eventually led him to seek firsthand experience and discover a broader perspective on one of the world’s most debated agricultural commodities.
Before travelling to Indonesia, much of Ahmad’s understanding of palm oil came from online discussions and social media in Pakistan. The range of opinions and concerns surrounding the industry left him with unanswered questions and a desire to examine the sector more closely.
That curiosity encouraged Ahmad, a student and youth activist, to join the second batch of the #YoungElaeis Ambassadors (YEAs) programme. His participation later earned him recognition as the Second Winner in the Health & Nutrition category.
Through the programme, Ahmad was given the opportunity to move beyond second-hand information. He was able to observe, ask questions and gain direct exposure to how the palm oil industry operates in Indonesia.
“Before joining the programme, most of my knowledge about palm oil came from social media and online discussions in Pakistan. There were many concerns circulating. That is why I wanted to understand the facts firsthand, rather than relying only on what I heard from others,” Ahmad said during the #YEAs Induction Week 2026 Media Engagement, attended by InfoSAWIT on June 11, 2026.
For Ahmad, the experience underscored the importance of direct engagement in understanding complex industries such as palm oil. His journey from Pakistan to Indonesia offered an opportunity to compare online narratives with experiences gathered from the field, while opening a new perspective on the people, practices and challenges behind the sector. (T2)
