HMPS Agribusiness UIN Jakarta: Uncovering Myths and Facts of the Palm Oil Industry

Madya Hall, UIN News Online - The Student Association of Agribusiness Study Program held a book review in commemoration of World Food Day 2024, with the theme “Myths Vs Facts: Indonesia's Palm Oil Industry in Global Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues Fourth Edition” in Madya Hall, 2nd floor, Friday (25/10/2024).

The event was attended by the Head of Agribusiness Study Program, Rizki Adi Puspita Sari M. M., Vice Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology for Academic Affairs, Dr. La Ode Sumarlin, M. Si, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Ali Munhanif M. A., Ph. D., and Head of BPDPKS Division, Ahmad Maurizal.

Head of the Agribusiness Study Program, Rizki Adi Puspita Sari in her speech emphasized the importance of global food awareness. According to her, palm oil has a major contribution in sustaining global food and building economic growth. Although, Puspita continued, palm oil also has its own challenges.

“Let us use the momentum of this food day to learn more about Indonesian palm oil which has contributed greatly to global food,” said the Head of Agribusiness Department.

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology La Ode reminded that palm oil is a commodity that has a double face. He said that palm oil is both hated and loved by some people. Therefore, as academics, it is important to take a clear role.

“The existence of the palm oil industry must be read as opportunities to make research and in-depth studies for better economic growth in Indonesia,” said the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs.

Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Ali Munhanif said that this event is important to disseminate knowledge about palm oil policy which is very complex. According to Prof. Ali, palm oil is not only a food issue but also concerns the lives of many people.

“The issue of palm oil must be understood comprehensively to see world food policy and its impact on Indonesia,” said Prof. Ali.

This is urgent, said Prof. Ali, so that students can be enlightened. So that they are not trapped in a narrow view of the complexity of palm oil.

BPDPKS Division Head Ahmad Maurizal said that although palm oil has many challenges such as fires, floods, landslides and land conflicts, the palm oil industry has many positive benefits, from the roots to the leaves.

“Palm oil is one of the main foods that sustain human life,” he said.

A derivative of palm oil, he continued, is biodiesel. Biodiesel is the main ingredient used to make many things including food, medical and cosmetics.

After the speech, the event continued with a book review of “Myth vs Fact: The Indonesian Palm Oil Industry in Global Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues, Fourth Edition”.

The event was hosted by Agribusiness Study Program Lecturer, Agustina Senjayani, Sp., MS.i., two resource persons including the Head of the Book Compilation Team, Dr. Ir. Tungkot Sipayung and Director of the Institute for Foods and Agricultural Development Studies, Dr. Ir. Iskandar Andi Nuhung, MS, as well as two responders namely UIN Jakarta Agribusiness Professor, Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Rochaeni M. Si., and Professor of Biology Study Program, Prof. Dr. Lily Surayya Eka Putri, M. Stud. Evn.

Chairman of the Book Compilation Team, Dr. Ir. Tungkot Sipayung in his presentation said that Indonesia used to be rich in spices such as sugar cane, coconut and others. However, almost all of these spices are gone and only traces remain. In contrast to palm oil which still survives to this day. Because only in Indonesian soil can palm oil grow well.

“Indonesia is the king of palm oil in the world. Palm oil is one of the sources of food and energy. Who controls food, controls people and who controls energy, controls the nation,” said Dr. Ir. Tungkot.

Dr. Tungkot further elaborated on 19 myths that are not true regarding the palm oil industry. The myths can be classified into four major themes, including the myths of the palm oil industry in the economic, social, environmental and health sectors.

In the economic sector, Dr. Tungkot refuted allegations that palm oil's contribution to global food is insignificant. In the social sector, the myth that the palm oil industry does not play a role in reducing the world's unemployment rate. While in the environmental and health sectors, respectively, the myths about palm oil causing agrarian conflicts and the myths about palm oil triggering cancer.

Meanwhile, Director of the Institute for Foods and Agricultural Development Studies, Dr. Ir. Iskandar Andi Nuhung explained the economic growth supported by palm oil including domestic cooking oil consumption over the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, Professor of Agribusiness at UIN Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Rochaeni highlighted social issues in relation to palm oil. According to Prof. Siti, there is an imbalance between the land expansion of privately-owned palm oil companies and smallholder plantations.

As many as 88 percent of the private palm oil industry, Prof. Siti continued, has been certified. Meanwhile, the number of smallholder plantations is less than half.

“In 2007-2023 we can see that the government is only pro giant companies. However, it is not in favor of people's plantations,” said Prof. Siti.

Finally, a response from Professor of Biology, Prof. Dr. Lily Surayya Eka Putri questioned the palm oil industry and the environment including biodiesel, waste management, global warming and water resources.

Event Documentation:

(Aji Pangestu/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: Muhammad Fahri Afrizal, Hermanudin)