Palm Farmers' Productivity in the Spotlight Amid Push for B50
JAKARTA - Enhancing the productivity of palm oil farmers has become a key focus amid rising national energy needs and the government’s drive to implement B50 biodiesel. This is deemed essential to strengthen the upstream palm oil industry while ensuring the sustainability of energy raw material supplies.
In response to these challenges, TAP Untuk Negeri, through its Quality and Prosperous Farmers (PERKASA) programme, has launched the PERKASA Hotline, a consultation and mentoring service for palm oil farmers to sustainably boost their plantation capacity and productivity.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stressed that the palm oil sector plays a crucial role in the national economy, requiring sustainable management.
“Indonesia must not fall behind. Palm oil is the nation’s economic strength,” said Andi Amran Sulaiman in an official statement on Friday (8/5/2026).
Therefore, he continued, palm oil governance must be strengthened and directed towards downstreaming to broaden its economic benefits for society.
This initiative forms part of efforts to improve access to education and mentoring for farmers across Indonesia. TAP Untuk Negeri views palm oil farmers as vital in the national palm oil industry’s supply chain.
The PERKASA programme operates on the belief that farmer productivity can be increased if access to knowledge and mentoring becomes more readily available.
According to TAP Untuk Negeri, boosting farmer productivity not only impacts their family welfare but also supports national energy and economic resilience.
In line with this, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia highlighted the importance of strengthening biodiesel programmes as part of the national energy independence strategy.
“There are three things we must do to face the current global energy crisis,” said Bahlil Lahadalia.
“The first is to optimise our lifting. The second is to seek diversification such as B50. B50 reduces our diesel imports,” he added.
As part of creating a sustainable palm oil ecosystem, TAP Untuk Negeri believes that strengthening farmer capacity should start with accessible education and mentoring.
The PERKASA Hotline is expected to serve as a consultation space and quick solution for farmers to address field challenges promptly and accurately.
The PERKASA Hotline service can be accessed via WhatsApp at +62 811-2220-1210.
Through the PERKASA programme, TAP Untuk Negeri continues to promote the creation of more adaptive, productive, and prosperous farmers to support a sustainable future for Indonesia’s palm oil industry.