Professor of IPB University: Palm Oil is Potential in the Implementation of SDGs

South-East Asia Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center, Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), IPB University in collaboration with the Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta) IPB University and the Association of Indonesian Food Technology Experts (PATPI) held the 6th Food Ingredient Asia Conference (FIAC) online, 14-16 / 10.

Dr. Azis Boing Sitanggang in his speech said FIAC is a forum to disseminate and discuss research results and current issues related to food in Indonesia and the world.

Meanwhile, the Head of LPPM IPB University, Dr. Ernan Rustiadi, revealed that the world population which continues to increase along with the limited productive land is a challenge for world food security. “This must be overcome by increasing the productivity of available land, minimizing food loss, and managing sustainable substantial food consumption,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Purwiyatno Hariyadi, Professor of IPB University, in his presentation explained the potential of national oil palm. According to him, oil palm has the potential to support the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, Indonesia is a place for palm oil producers.

“The productivity of oil palm is very high, it can produce vegetable oil up to eight tons per hectare per year. This is much higher than oil from soybeans and sunflower seeds which can only produce 0.4 tonnes and 0.5 tonnes of oil per hectare,” he explained.

Oil palm also has a productive life of up to 25 years with relatively cheaper production costs. Prof. Hariyadi continued, based on data collected by the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (GAPKI), throughout 2019 Indonesia’s palm oil production reached up to 51.8 tons of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). This number is 9 percent higher than production in 2018.

This, he said, made Indonesia worthy of being called the largest palm oil producer in the world. With the growth in population and the world economy, the demand for vegetable oils in the next decade will continue to increase.

“The commodity palm oil has grown strongly, contributing around 1.5 to 2.5 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is what makes the Indonesian government make oil palm be the key factor in the economy, ”he added.

Not only as a foreign exchange earner, but oil palm also contributes to improving the quality of life for people, including the quality of education and health. Therefore, it cannot be denied that palm oil plays a significant role in achieving the SDGs targets.

However, several strategies are needed to address various challenges such as aspects of food safety and health risks. As much as 85 percent of palm oil is used for cooking food. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the entire supply chain from the production stage to the end.

Prof. Hariadi also emphasized that Indonesia needs to build research and development activities to produce higher and higher quality palm oil composition values. Including oils that are free of trans fats and rich in phytonutrients.

In this activity also attended as a speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Hatzakis, (Ohio State University, USA), Prof. Dr. Michael Murkovic (Graz University of Technology, Austria). On the second day, the activities were filled by Dr. Dede Adawiyah (IPB University), Dr-Ing Dase Hunaefi (IPB University), Prof. Dr. Lilis Nuraida (SEAFAST Center IPB University), Prof. Dr. Chin-Kun Wang (Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan), and closed by Prof. Dr. Umar Santoso (President of IAFT / PATPI).  (IAAS/YN)