RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has commended the holding of the 2026 Indonesian Palm Oil Research Week (PERISAI) in Jakarta as a strategic step to strengthen the palm oil industry’s research and innovation ecosystem in a sustainable manner. This effort is a key priority for the world’s largest palm oil producer, aimed at increasing the added value and competitiveness of its products in the global market.

This initiative to bolster innovation aligns with the significant contribution of the palm oil industry, which accounted for approximately 3.5 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. According to data from the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the value of palm oil product exports last year reached $30.87 billion, with an export volume of 38.84 million metric tons.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto believes that research collaboration is crucial in supporting downstream development and national energy self-reliance, including the implementation of the Biodiesel 50 (B50) Program launched by President Prabowo Subianto. “We commend the Plantation Fund Management Agency for its consistency in organizing and hosting the Indonesian Palm Oil Research Week (PERISAI) as a platform and meeting point for research, policy, industry, and investment,” he said while delivering closing remarks at the PERISAI 2026 event in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

The success of B50 is expected to serve as the primary foundation for developing the next generation of downstream products, such as Green Diesel, Bio Avtur or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Palm Gasoline. In addition to focusing on energy-derived products, the PERISAI 2026 forum also provided opportunities for the younger generation through the Student-Level Palm Oil Research Competition, which involved 40 universities.

The involvement of academics and young researchers is viewed as a vital asset in maintaining Indonesia’s technological leadership in the global plantation sector. “This event is certainly very important because policy research and investment are crucial, especially since the researchers are from universities in Indonesia. Since Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil, it makes sense that the researchers come from the best universities in Indonesia,” Airlangga said.

The government is also encouraging the commercialization of research results by the private sector while continuing to provide intellectual property protection for researchers. In addition to palm oil, the government is focusing on accelerating the replanting program for cocoa and coconut trees on smallholder plantations to boost productivity and improve community well-being.

This series of activities concluded with the hope that all stakeholders will continue to strengthen their collaboration for the sake of national economic sustainability. “I want these activities to be further strengthened and followed up on so that they benefit the economy, improve farmers’ well-being, and also increase the added value for plantation owners,” he said.