(Palm processing) is no longer only for food, but also for fuel in the future...Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Government is supporting the development of technology and human resources at palm processing factories.
For as long as one hundred years, the palm processing technology has remained unchanged, and it has mainly focused on fat production, Director General of Agro Industry at the Industry Ministry Putu Juli Ardika highlighted in a written statement received here on Wednesday.
"Now, the condition has changed. (Palm processing) is no longer only for food, but also for fuel in the future, whether it is for green biodiesel, green jet fuel, green gasoline, which can be adopted right away to replace fossil-based fuel," he informed.
The future generation will live in a world that is greatly powered by fuel generated from palm, such as biofuel, biopolymer, and biomass; therefore, the Industry Ministry is showing great support for the development of palm processing technology, he said.
One such support has involved the amendment of Government Regulation Number 1 on export foreign exchange, he pointed out.
The regulation states that foreign exchange must be available in Indonesia within a certain period of time so that it can be used for technological development and commercialization.
Ardika also outlined other supports, including the establishment of the National Standards (SNI) for crude palm oil and palm cooking oil.
To develop any industry, competent human resources are necessary, he added. To ensure this, the ministry has issued the National Competency Standard of Work for industries such as crude palm oil (CPO), palm cooking oil, oleochemical, and biodiesel. The standard covers expertise ranging from operational to management aspects.
Educational institutions under the ministry have been accredited for issuing certification for the professional work standard.
The ministry has requested the National Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) to allocate scholarship funding for students attending the ministry's educational institutions to meet the demand for one thousand workers each year in the palm processing industry.
A member of research and development at BPDPKS, Jenny Elisabeth, highlighted the need for palm processing companies to produce crude palm oil that meets the quality standards in order to ensure the competitiveness of the industry.
She delivered the statement during the “Technology & Talent Palm Oil Conference and Exhibition” hosted by the National Association of Plantation Professionals and Practitioners on Tuesday (March 7, 2023).
“Ever-growing market demand for the quality of processed items must be met by palm processing companies by producing high-quality CPO. From the plantation, palm processing, and CPO transport, all (good quality) must be maintained," she said.
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Translator: Subagyo, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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