Indonesia Is Considered To Have Maximized The Value Of Increasing Palm Oil Downstream

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Professor of the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) Erliza Hambali said Indonesia must maximize the added value of downstream oil palm in order to boost national economic growth.

"As the largest palm oil producer in the world, it is appropriate that the added value is in Indonesia, not in other countries," said Prof. Erliza Hambali in Padang, West Sumatra, quoted from Antara, Thursday, July 4.

Therefore, he continued, if currently Indonesia has only succeeded in making 100 types of products from downstream oil palm, in the future it is hoped that it will be able to make more than 500 types of products.

To realize products from downstream oil palm, IPB University recommends the importance of collaboration and cooperation with various parties, especially universities in the province that produce palm oil.

Based on IPB University records, there are 26 provinces in the country as palm oil producing areas, of which 22 are in the largest producing category.

"So, if lecturers, researchers, students and other parties think about and look for one million palm oil goods, the purpose of creating downstream products can be realized," he said.

Especially for IPB University, he continued, the university has conducted a lot of research related to palm oil, including making surfactants from palm oil.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor IV of Andalas University for Planning, Research, Innovation and Cooperation Henmaidi said a study conducted by universities was aimed at solving various problems in society.

"So the research conducted by universities is to provide benefits to the community," he said.

The oldest university outside Java has also succeeded in creating a tool for detecting the maturity of palm oil.

This sensor can help farmers in determining the level of maturity of palm fruit which is more accurate, and on time so that it can optimize harvest time and processing.