It is not true that palm oil is the cause of deforestation in the world. The area of palm oil plantations is relatively small and contributes about 0.3 percent to the global deforestation, reaching 700 million hectares.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has been successful in influencing several nations to use palm oil-based biodiesel fuel, Deputy for Food and Agriculture Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Economy Musdalifah Machmud stated.

"Malaysia will gradually use B20 (20 percent blended biodiesel) starting from January next year, while Thailand will soon introduce B10 (10 percent blended biodiesel). As a matter of fact, we have been an influencing force in the use of biodiesel fuel worldwide," she remarked at a discussion in Jakarta on Monday.

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Machmud noted that Colombia had also introduced the use of five-percent blended biodiesel (B5) fuel and is taking necessary steps to produce B10.

Several palm oil producers have developed palm oil plantations and sought suggestions from Indonesia on the massive use of biodiesel fuel, she pointed out.

A rise in the number of countries that switched to using clean biodiesel energy has made the Indonesian government upbeat about the promising prospects for the Indonesian palm oil industry, she explained.

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Indonesia has successfully applied a 20-percent blended biodiesel (B-20) program and is gearing up for the production of 30 percent blended biodiesel (B-30).

Indonesia is currently the world's largest palm oil producer, with an annual production of some 45 million tons.

The use of biodiesel fuel in several countries played down a black campaign against the palm oil industry.

"It is not true that palm oil is the cause of deforestation in the world. The area of palm oil plantations is relatively small and contributes some 0.3 percent to the global deforestation, reaching 700 million hectares," he added.

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Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati/Suharto
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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