Indonesia's Energy Ministry to Inspect Palm Oil Plantations Suspected of Operating Outside Mining Permits

The investigation will include several companies, among them foreign-owned businesses suspected of engaging in activities not covered by their existing licenses. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, said the ministry had held discussions with its law enforcement team and internal officials to follow up on the allegations. Speaking at a national energy security press conference on Monday (October 26, 2026), Bahlil said the government would monitor and examine plantations suspected of also conducting mining operations. According to Bahlil, the ministry's law enforcement team has reported several companies that...

Indonesia’s Palm Oil Industry Urged to Strengthen Talent Development Strategies

Moving beyond conventional training Agus noted that approaches to human capital development have also evolved. Whereas companies once relied heavily on formal training, the focus is now shifting towards broader learning and development programmes. These can include mentoring, counselling, experiential learning and internal academies. The corporate university concept can also serve as a platform for building a learning culture across the organization. Under this approach, developing employees is no longer solely the responsibility of the human resources department. It becomes a shared responsibility involving leaders and employees throughout the company. The industry must also address the challenge of making plantation...

Palm Oil Mill Expert Highlights Key Factors Driving Extraction Rates and Oil Losses

Bonar Saragih, a palm oil mill specialist and director of PT Mitra Agro Servindo, emphasized the importance of evaluating mill performance as a complete system during IPS Planter Talk Series #4, titled “Building a High Extraction, Low Loss and Reliable Palm Oil.” attended the event on Saturday (October 24, 2026). Based on his consulting experience at several mills, Bonar estimated that approximately 80% of extraction performance is associated with raw material quality, while the remaining 20% depends on processing operations. He clarified that this estimate reflects practical experience rather than findings from a controlled scientific study presented at the event....

Agus Sutrisno: Strong Culture and Work Systems Are Key to Building a Competitive Palm Oil Workforce

This was highlighted by Agus Sutrisno, Human Capital & OSM Director at Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA), during IPS Planter Talks 2026 Series #5, themed “Leading from the Field: Turning Leadership into Excellence & Result”, attended by on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Agus said human resource development should begin with a clear organisational vision. Companies need to define the type of organisation they want to build and establish values that guide employees in their daily work. He stressed that corporate values should not remain slogans or words employees simply memorise. Instead, they must be reflected in everyday behaviour, workplace practices and...

Indonesia Accelerates National Palm Oil Strategic Project, Prioritizing Smallholder Land Rights

The initiative follows a presidential directive and was discussed at a ministerial-level coordination meeting at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas on October 16, 2026. Minister of National Development Planning and Bappenas Head Rachmat Pambudy said land governance reform must provide legal certainty and improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on oil palm cultivation. The government plans to accelerate the resolution of land tenure issues affecting smallholder plantations located within forest areas, while distinguishing community-owned or managed plantations from corporate land arrangements. Following the resolution of land-related issues in accordance with applicable regulations, eligible smallholders are expected to gain broader...

Palm Kernel Shells Offer Additional Revenue Opportunities for Indonesian Palm Oil Mills

The director of PT Mitra Agro Servindo shared his insights during the Indonesian Planters Society (IPS) Planter Talk Series #4, titled “Building a High Extraction, Low Loss and Reliable Palm Oil,” held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Bonar explained that palm oil processing generates several products, including crude palm oil (CPO), palm kernels, fiber, empty fruit bunches, and palm kernel shells. He said mills should manage these byproducts strategically to improve overall operational profitability. “Palm kernel shells are one of the commodities that can significantly contribute to profit margins,” Bonar said. He estimated that only a small proportion of Indonesia’s...

Indonesian Planters Society Calls for More Efficient, Reliable Palm Oil Mills and Lower Oil Losses

IPS Chairman Jamalul outlined the priorities during IPS Planter Talk Series #4, titled “Building a High Extraction, Low Loss and Reliable Palm Oil,” held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with in attendance. Jamalul said the discussion series had already completed three sessions covering technical challenges in the palm oil industry. The events had attracted interest from both experienced plantation professionals and younger workers entering the sector. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing platforms are important for transferring practical experience from senior professionals to the next generation of plantation and mill personnel. According to Jamalul, Indonesia’s large plantation and processing base gives the...

Sekadau Deputy Regent Urges Palm Oil Companies to Review HGU Permits to Prevent Land Disputes

Sekadau Deputy Regent Subandrio said uncertainty surrounding plantation land rights remained a recurring concern among residents. Inadequate clarity over land administration, he warned, could fuel tensions and, in some cases, lead to demonstrations. He made the remarks while opening a socialization event for the new HGU of PT Agro Andalan at the Sekadau Regency PKK Meeting Hall in Sekadau Hilir on Thursday. According to , citing the Sekadau administration on Saturday, October 24, Subandrio welcomed PT Agro Andalan’s efforts to revise its HGU and explain the changes to communities through subdistrict and village governments. He encouraged other plantation companies that...

Agrinas Palma Nusantara Partners Smart Batik Indonesia to Develop Palm-Based Batik Industry

The collaboration was formalized through a cooperation agreement signed in Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Friday, October 23, 2026. Agrinas was represented by Gatut Mukti, head of its Public Relations and Environmental Social Responsibility Division, and Nurhasanah Shihab, head of the Environmental Social Responsibility Subdivision. Palm-based batik is an innovation developed by Smart Batik Indonesia in late 2023. The initiative uses palm oil derivatives, including palm stearin and stearic acid, as ingredients in batik wax, known locally as malam. These materials are intended to replace part of the conventional ingredients, including animal-derived fats and paraffin. According to information received...

Women Strengthen Sustainable Palm Oil Practices Through Belayan Sejahtera Cooperative

Speaking at the Dialogue on Female Representation in the Palm Oil Value Chain, attended by on October 29, 2026, Nurul described her journey with the cooperative in Kembang Janggut Village, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan. Coming from a farming family, she initially had limited knowledge of oil palm cultivation, including crop maintenance, fertilisation, and plantation cost management. Joining the cooperative gave her opportunities to learn and develop practical skills. Her growing experience has also enabled her to share knowledge with other farmers and help her own family improve plantation management practices. “The knowledge I have gained is not only beneficial...

Indonesia Explores Dry-Process Palm Oil Technology to Cut Emissions

The technology, known as Steamless Palm Oil Technology (SPOT), uses a dry-processing approach to produce Palm Mesocarp Oil (PMO). Its developers promote the technology as a way to produce a high-nutritional-value product without generating liquid waste, while potentially reducing emissions by up to 75% compared with conventional processing. Yet translating these environmental benefits into commercial success will require a stronger connection between technology developers, the palm oil industry, and smallholders. Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry is looking to establish more structured partnerships to help smallholders participate in the development of the technology and benefit from its implementation. Krisna Septiningrum, Director of...

Malaysia Targets High-Value Palm Oil Derivatives for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Markets

Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii said the development of higher-value products is an important strategy for protecting the industry against fluctuations in global CPO prices. According to Bernama, as published by on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Huang explained that the government is encouraging manufacturers to produce premium ingredients for cosmetics, personal care, and specialized industrial applications. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) supports these efforts through research and technical services aimed at expanding the commercial applications of palm-based products. Malaysia is also exploring higher-value components found in palm oil, including tocotrienols, a form of...

Women Palm Oil Smallholders Encouraged to Build Skills, Confidence and Economic Independence

Magdalena Sunaryati, a smallholder and village official from Sekuto Jaya, Long Ikis, Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, shared her experience at a dialogue on women’s representation in the palm oil value chain in Jakarta on Thursday, attended by , October 29, 2026. Magdalena said women are capable of managing multiple responsibilities but often face social and cultural expectations that limit their confidence and participation. Together with other women in her farmer group, she takes part in plantation activities ranging from land clearing and fertilising to spraying. The group has also received assistance from Solidaridad through training programmes covering gender equality, decent...

Solidaridad Proposes Five Measures to Strengthen Women’s Rights in Sustainable Palm Oil Certification

The recommendations aim to address gaps between women’s contributions to plantation activities and their formal recognition in land ownership, financing, farmer organisations and decision-making. Women perform a range of plantation tasks, including fertilising, weeding and collecting loose fruit. However, their involvement does not always translate into equal access to training, institutional support or financial resources. Data cited by Solidaridad indicate that women account for approximately 24.2% of registered land ownership, potentially limiting their access to cooperative membership and farmer empowerment programmes. Solidaridad Indonesia Country Manager Yeni Fitriyanti said stronger sustainability standards must be accompanied by effective audits to ensure that...

Indonesian Lawmaker Calls for Palm Oil Fund Review and Faster Execution of Haze-Related Court Rulings

Ateng, a lawmaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said public financing for the palm oil industry must go hand in hand with environmental accountability. The government, he argued, should ensure that plantation funds deliver tangible benefits while companies remain responsible for environmental restoration obligations imposed by the courts. “Disbursement of public funds must be accompanied by firm action to enforce environmental responsibilities,” Ateng said, as quoted by from the PKS parliamentary faction’s website on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. He also highlighted the expanded mandate of the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), following Presidential Regulation No. 132/2024, which broadened the...

Oil Palm Productivity Depends on Tree Population and Ganoderma Management, Expert Says

Djan said plantations should aim to maintain more than 136 palms per hectare, achieve over 12 fresh fruit bunches per palm annually and sustain an average bunch weight above 15 kilograms. “The palm population must be maintained. The key is managing those 136 palms per hectare properly and slowing the rate of decline as much as possible,” he said, as reported by from the Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (PPKS) social media on Friday (October 23, 2026). He warned that losing trees at an early stage can significantly reduce a plantation’s long-term production potential. Soil Management Crucial to Controlling Ganoderma...

Lagos Consumers Rely on Taste and Color to Detect Suspected Palm Oil Adulteration

, citing the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, October 1, 2026, reported that consumers and traders shared their experiences in separate interviews in Lagos. Chidinma Nwabueze, a palm oil trader at Oyingbo Market, said she mainly sourced palm oil from trusted mills and suppliers, including those in eastern Nigeria. She said experience was important when distinguishing genuine palm oil from products suspected of being mixed with other substances. According to Nwabueze, consumers familiar with palm oil can identify differences through color, thickness and aroma. Some differences, she added, may only become apparent during cooking. Goodness Okoro, a resident...

Wilmar Invests in Education to Build the Next Generation of Palm Oil Industry Talent

Wilmar is expanding its education initiatives in Central Kalimantan, seeking to improve access to schooling while creating opportunities for children living in and around plantation areas. In Kenyala Village, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, Sekolah Bina Bangsa 02 stands amid the activities of a plantation area. Managed by the Bina Bangsa Foundation, the school is part of Wilmar's Central Kalimantan Project (CKP). Rather than serving only as an educational facility for employees' families, the school also provides access to children from surrounding villages. “The children are the nation's future generation and therefore must be prepared as well as possible. Every...

Indonesian Lawmakers Inspect Eight Palm Oil Companies in Riau Over Environmental Compliance

The inspections identified a range of issues involving wastewater management, emissions control, environmental documentation, riverbank protection, and land-fire prevention facilities. Rohid was accompanied by Kuansing Regional House of Representatives member Reky Fitro, Head of the Kuansing Environmental Agency Dodi Fitrawan, and other officials during the field inspections. River Buffer Zones and Plantation Boundaries Under Scrutiny At PT Karya Tama Bakti Mulia (KTBM), the inspection team found that oil palm replanting activities had reportedly not been included in the company's environmental documents. The team also identified oil palm plantings within protected river buffer zones, covering approximately 7.41 hectares along the Batang...

Indonesian Smallholder Palm Oil Processors Seek Greater Role in National Biodiesel Supply Chain

The Indonesian Association of Micro, Small and Medium Palm Oil Mills (GAPPKES MIKEMINO) is urging the government to expand the participation of smallholders and community-based palm oil mills, known as PABKESRA, in the national biodiesel supply chain. The organization argues that Indonesia's biodiesel mandate should do more than strengthen energy security. It should also enable smallholders to participate in processing, industrial development, and the creation of added value from palm oil. GAPPKES MIKEMINO Chairman M. Salim Simangunsong, together with advisory board members Dr. Sabil Rachman and Helmi Djen, said the success of downstream development should be measured partly by how...