Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute to Hold Palm Oil Conference in Medan

Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (PPKS) which will hold International Oil Palm Conference (IOPC) 2018, in Medan, North Sumatra, 17-19 July. The purpose is nothing but to prevent European Union black campaign against palm oil industry around the world. With a big theme called it ‘Smoothing The Market Disequilibria’ the conference will will discuss the key issues on current condition of palm oil industry which is being invaded with negative campaigns and uncertainty of palm oil price. The conference will bring together academics, agricultural experts, business persons, farmers, as well as from Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Body (BPDPKS), which is scheduled to talk about palm oil replantation program. Director of PPKS Hasril Hasan Siregar said palm oil has a strategic role for Indonesian economy. As it said, these commodities well generate state income, employment, poverty alleviation, economic growth in various regions with multiplier effects. However, these potential comes along with negative campaign. “Palm oil has many challenges related to trade and negative issues,” Hasril said in Medan, Thursday (28/6/2018). Meanwhile, on a trade side, palm oil price have fluctuation in line with an imbalance of vegetable oil market. In addition, concerns over vegetable oil producers compete with palm oil has trigger to negative campaign. “Initially palm oil campaign is just on health issue that affect consumers. But it has widened to economic, social and environmental aspects in recents years,” said Hasril.