RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is turning to palm oil as a cornerstone of its energy future, as Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announcing that the country will stop importing diesel fuel beginning July 1, 2026.

The shift coincides with the nationwide adoption of biodiesel B50, a blend containing 50 percent palm oil.

Speaking at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Minister Amran described the move as a decisive step toward energy self-sufficiency. “Starting July 2026, we will no longer import diesel. B50 will take over,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Palm oil’s role, he emphasized, extends beyond biodiesel. Development is underway to convert the commodity into gasoline and ethanol, positioning it as a versatile alternative fuel. “This is the future of Indonesia’s energy. Palm oil can become diesel, gasoline, and more,” Minister Amran explained.

The government is also collaborating with state-owned plantation company Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) to pilot palm-based gasoline production on a small scale, with plans to expand into full industrial capacity. “If this succeeds, we’ll scale it up. Indonesia’s future looks bright,” he added.

Minister Amran’s visit to ITS also highlighted innovation in agricultural machinery. He inspected an electric tractor prototype designed to reduce costs and eliminate reliance on diesel.

The Ministry of Agriculture has ordered 10 units for trial use. “This tractor costs half the usual price, runs on electricity instead of diesel, and is highly efficient,” Minister Amran noted.

The minister was in Surabaya to deliver the keynote address at ITS’s 133rd graduation ceremony for doctoral, master’s, and professional engineering programs. ***