Press Release
Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA)
Agriculture Minister: GAPKI Largest Organization In The World
JAKARTA – Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer and exporter, which plays an important role in fulfilling the domestic and global needs. Therefore, the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has become the largest organization in the world, which is responsible in fulfilling the global need of vegetable oil.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of GAPKI’s new board of executives for the period of 2023 – 2028 at the vice presidential palace on Wednesday, 12 April 2023, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said that the palm oil is the pride of Indonesia. The total acreage of Indonesia’s oil palm plantations at 16 million hectares should become the focus of GAPKI’s attention to maintain and increase production and productivity. “I hope, this new board of executives of GAPKI can realize the strategic programs with the agriculture ministry, especially in implementing the replanting program for smallholders’ plantations (PSR),” said Syahrul.
GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono underlined the importance of PSR, saying that it is one of the priorities of the new board of executive. He said that as part of such commitment, a PSR acceleration team has been established within the new organizational structure of GAPKI. Edy believes that the acceleration of PSR implementation will determine the national productivity and production of palm oil, and increase the welfare of smallholders.
“The PSR is an important issue and we’re strongly committed to implementing it. For such purpose, GAPKI badly needs the support of the government and all of its related institutions in designing policies for development of palm oil industry, especially the PSR,” said Eddy.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said during the occasion that the PSR is the key factor in developing the palm oil industry as the economic backbone of Indonesia. “The increase of productivity and production of palm oil will certainly improve the public welfare of Indonesian people,” he said.
Globally, the increase of productivity and production will become a solution to the problem of global food resilience, the need for new and renewable energy and climate change. The government is committed to supporting the palm oil industry, which has the world’s highest productivity and efficiency, especially on land use, as compared to other vegetable oils, including soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed.
“I ask all related ministries and other institutions to harmonize soon all regulations on the status of plantations in forest areas and on the implementation of PSR for smallholders,” said Ma’ruf. (*)
