JAKARTA – Indonesia has once again garnered international recognition for its efforts to foster innovation in managing more eco-friendly and sustainable oil palm plantations. The innovation is realized in the form of a scientific breakthrough developed through a collaboration between Indonesian and international researchers, successfully demonstrating that the productivity of oil palm plantations can go hand-in-hand with biodiversity conservation efforts within the plantations.
One of the academics involved in the research is Bambang Irawan, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jambi (UNJA) in Jambi province. He is listed as a co-author of the scientific article that won the “National Champion – Germany” title at the Frontiers Planet Prize 2026—a prestigious award honoring research that offers science-based solutions to global environmental challenges.
The award was presented for the scientific article titled “Diverse and Larger Tree Islands Promote Native Tree Diversity in Oil Palm Landscapes”. The collaborative international research is considered to have made a significant contribution to developing more sustainable model of oil palm plantations without compromising economic viability.
Tree island concept for sustainability
The study focuses on the concept of “tree islands” within oil palm plantation landscapes. Research results indicate that larger tree islands with diverse plant species can boost the presence of native trees, accelerate ecosystem recovery, and preserve biodiversity. These findings demonstrate that oil palm plantations need not be viewed as separate from conservation efforts. With proper management, oil palm plantations can become part of the solution for maintaining environmental balance.
“The achievement proves that research originating from Indonesian landscapes has a tangible impact and is recognized by the global scientific community. We hope this ‘tree island’ model can serve as a new reference for environmentally friendly oil palm management,” said Bambang Irawan.
Winning the German national award places this research among the best scientific works capable of offering solutions to issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability challenges.
The success also underscores the contribution of Indonesian scientists in producing high-quality research that is not only academically recognized but also holds the potential for practical application in plantation management. For the University of Jambi, this marks a significant international achievement.
Next global selection
The Frontiers Planet Prize is a global scientific award recognizing research that delivers tangible impact on the future of the Earth. Having secured the title of National Champion, Dr. Bambang Irawan and his team of authors will advance to the international selection stage.
From among the national champions representing various countries, the organizers will select three International Champions. Each winning team will receive USD 1.0 million in research funding to advance their work and accelerate the implementation of scientific solutions across different regions.
The achievement is expected to encourage Indonesian researchers to continue generating innovations that address environmental challenges while strengthening Indonesia’s position as a hub for scientific advancement in sustainable plantation practices. (*)
Sawitku.id. Ilmuwan Indonesia Tunjukkan Sawit Bisa Selaras dengan Alam, Riset Konservasi Ini Diakui Dunia. https://www.sawitku.id/internasional/81417419043/ilmuwan-indonesia-tunjukkan-sawit-bisa-selaras-dengan-alam-riset-konservasi-ini-diakui-dunia
