Prabowo Wants Farmers to Benefit More After B50 Launch, Here's Why

Karawang, VIVA – President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that farmers must be the party that benefits most from the palm oil downstreaming policy, coinciding with the launch of the Biodiesel B50 programme.

According to Prabowo, the success of the B50 programme represents one of the government’s strategic steps in strengthening national energy resilience, whilst simultaneously increasing the added value of the palm oil industry.

At the same time, the President wants to ensure that the primary direction of the policy remains in favour of farmers. The aim is for farmers to become the group that benefits most and achieves greater prosperity from the palm oil downstreaming process.

“This is the effort of all of us. So today is a historic milestone. Our farmers will also continue to see their incomes rise. We will succeed if our farmers live better lives,” said Prabowo at the launch of Mandatory Biodiesel B50 at the Rest Area KM 57, Karawang, West Java, Thursday, 9 July 2026.

Prabowo affirmed that the positive impact of various government policies is beginning to be felt by people in the regions. Based on reports he has received from a number of provinces, farmers’ welfare levels show an upward trend, reflected in increased purchasing power.

“I have also received reports from various provinces that our farmers are now buying more motorcycles, car purchases have risen by tens of per cent,” said Prabowo.

Not only that, according to the President, the improvement in farmers’ welfare is also evident from the growing number of farmers able to perform the umrah pilgrimage and carry out qurban sacrifices. “It means they now have money. This is the goal of our development — our people must prosper,” he asserted.

Prabowo affirmed that the government will never accept a situation in which the Indonesian people live in poverty, while this nation possesses abundant natural resources. Therefore, all downstreaming policies, including the development of palm oil-based biodiesel, are directed so that the economic benefits return to the community, especially farmers.

“And we must not have an inferiority complex. We must not accept that our people must be poor. We are a rich nation, and our people must also enjoy that wealth,” he said.

Prabowo also expressed his appreciation to the researchers, academics and all parties who have contributed to the development of national biodiesel. He also encouraged continued innovation so that Indonesia can progress further following the successful implementation of B50.