Introduction : Build an Image of Indonesian Palm Oil Industry Volume 1
The palm oil industry is a strategic industry in Indonesia because the biggest contributor to foreign exchange (net exports) in the national economy; absorbs around 8 million workers in oil palm plantations in 200 districts. Smallholder oil palm plantations with 45 percent of total oil palm plantation in Indonesia, have a contribution to delevelopment economic sectors in rural, , increasing farmers’ income and reducing poverty. Palm oil downstream industries (oleofood, oleochemical, biofuel industries) supported by the trade sector are located in all provinces that provide food and non food (soap, detergents, shampoo, toothpaste, biodiesel, etc.) to fullfil community needs. So as a whole the palm oil industry has a role as one of the locomotive of the national economy.
In addition, 16 million hectares of oil palm plantations have a function as “lungs” that absorb carbon dioxide (pollution) from the earth’s atmosphere and produce oxygen for life. Even in the energy sector, the palm oil industry is a producer of renewable energy and is more environmentally friendly such as biodiesel, biopremium, bioavtur, bio-lubricant and others.
Given the importance of the palm oil industry, the palm oil industry needs to be well managed and maintained its image. Building the image of the Indonesian palm oil industry is increasingly important given the negative/black campaign against palm oil as part of the global trade war.
The negative campaign against the palm oil industry has been going on for a long time since the early 1980s. Concerns that soybean oil producers are unable to compete with palm oil have triggered intensive negative campaigns against palm oil. Initially, the campaign theme was only on nutrition/health issues to influence consumers, but in the last 15 years the negative campaign has widened to economic, social and environmental aspects especially those related to the attention of the global community.
Behind The Book “Build an Image of Indonesian Palm Oil Industry Volume 1”
If the negative/black campaign is left without systematic efforts to build the image of Indonesian palm oil, it is feared that a bad image of Indonesian palm oil will be formed which will in turn influence the community’s decision to view oil palm. Thus, Palm Oil Agribusiness Strategic Policy Institute (PASPI) has made efforts that aimed to building the image of Indonesian palm oil (Volume I) in English. The writings have also been posted on the website www.indonesiakita.or.id since 2015. This book contains content that was posted on the website. The topics in this book are presented in synopsis and in popular scientific language.
Thank you to the PASPI Research Team who worked hard to compose this book. Appreciation and gratitude goes to all parties who have provided support, thought ideas and encouragement for composing this book.