Indonesia Advances Agricultural Modernization with B50 Biodiesel Trials

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture is testing the use of B50 biodiesel in agricultural machinery, marking a significant step in integrating renewable energy into the farming sector.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen national energy resilience while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that biofuel development is a strategic move to enhance energy security.

“We are converting 5.3 million tons of CPO into biofuel. This means that this year, we will not import diesel,” he said in an official release on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The B50 program is seen as a key driver in adding value to domestic commodities while supporting agricultural modernization. Head of the Agricultural Engineering and Modernization Agency, Fadjry Djufry, noted that his team is developing a hybrid biodiesel bioreactor designed to produce fuel efficiently and with stable quality.

Field trials were conducted in early April 2026 by the Agricultural Mechanization Development Center in collaboration with LEMIGAS, Indonesia's state-owned research and testing center for oil and gas technology.

The tests included two-wheel and four-wheel tractors, water pumps, and cold-start evaluations to ensure machines function reliably after storage.

Head of the Agricultural Mechanization Research and Development Center, Arief Rachman, explained that the trials aimed to assess technical readiness, focusing on machine reliability and fuel efficiency.

Results showed that B50 biodiesel delivered stable performance, meeting national standards for power, fuel consumption, and operational efficiency. Importantly, no negative impact on engine performance was observed, opening the door for wider adoption in agricultural machinery.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to push for the integration of bioenergy with agricultural mechanization. Officials believe this approach will not only improve efficiency but also reinforce Indonesia’s national B50 program, positioning agriculture as a key sector in the country’s clean energy transition. (Gusti Panji/Sri Wahyuni)