PALM OIL INDUSTRY TACKLES NATIONAL AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES AT IPOS FORUM 2024
The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) Chairman, Eddy Martono, ignited discussions at the Indonesian Palm Oil Stakeholders Forum (IPOS-Forum) on Thursday (30/5/2024) in Medan, North Sumatra, as he rallied stakeholders to confront the formidable challenges confronting the nation's palm oil sector.
Martono's keynote address unveiled a landscape fraught with hurdles, both domestic and global, urging for unified action to navigate through the storm. From a plateaued production growth juxtaposed with escalating local demand to the specter of land encroachment jeopardizing plantation operations, the challenges painted a complex picture.
"Indonesia's palm oil industry stands at a crossroads, facing headwinds from all directions," Martono remarked, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated efforts to find solutions.
However, the challenges extend beyond national borders, with relentless negative campaigns and the looming European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) casting shadows over the global market.
Yet, amidst the adversity, Martono exuded confidence in the forum's ability to forge a path forward, rallying stakeholders to pool their expertise and resources for innovative solutions.
"We are here not just to discuss, but to devise actionable strategies that will drive positive change," Martono asserted, underlining the importance of proactive collaboration with governmental bodies to enact reforms conducive to industry sustainability.
Echoing Martono's sentiments, Timbas Prasad Ginting, GAPKI North Sumatra Office Head, underscored the imperative of regulatory harmonization to facilitate smallholder replanting programs, a sentiment resonating throughout the forum.
The inaugural ceremony, graced by the Acting Governor of Sumut, Hassanudin, served as a poignant reminder of the palm oil industry's pivotal role in driving economic prosperity, with North Sumatra emerging as a linchpin in the nation's palm oil landscape.
"As the heartbeat of North Sumatra's economy, the palm oil sector holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for our province," Hassanudin remarked, highlighting its substantial contribution to employment and economic growth.
With optimism and determination radiating through the halls of the IPOS Forum 2024, stakeholders stand poised to confront challenges head-on, forging a path towards a sustainable and prosperous palm oil industry.
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