Palm oil: operation to seduce Indonesia

Audio 01:34

Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil.

© AFP / Chaideer Mahyuddin

By: Marie-Pierre Olphand Follow

2 min

Indonesia is launching a charm operation to promote its palm oil and counter the offensive discourse of lobbies on the sector.

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The government's objective is clearly stated: "to 

 ".

For this, he is joining forces with the organization responsible for collecting taxes on the export of palm oil, a structure worth millions of dollars, capable of supporting this kind of promotional campaign.

The first targets are the small operators, they are called upon to follow media training.

The idea is that they can relay in the press and social networks all that is positive in the culture of green gold in particular, the latest innovations in the industry and especially its importance for the economy. local.

Industry which, it is a fact, has enabled more than 15 million Indonesians to get out of poverty, to name only those who are identified by the sector.

Another vector chosen by the authorities, the teachers.

The training program is responsible for reminding them of what the sector reports, and it is up to them to spread the message to their students.

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Promote the country's flagship economic sector

This campaign is up to the weight of the industry in the country: Indonesia is the world number one, in a context where palm oil prices are at their highest.

While the moratorium on the extension of surfaces has just been lifted, the authorities have therefore decided at the same time to no longer allow the voice of international NGOs to be diffused in the country.

" 

 ," explains Jean-Marc Roda, CIRAD regional director for South-East Asia.

This charming operation also responds to growing pressure from the political opposition which campaigns for a more sustainable cultivation of palm trees.

► Read also: Palm oil reaches historic prices

The sector calls to thwart growing criticism 

In a country where national sentiment is strong, the authorities are now calling on everyone to stand up against an anti-palm oil campaign that could gain momentum, believes Gapki, the Indonesian association of producers, which fears that climate goals and the accompanying anti-deforestation rhetoric could hurt the palm oil trade.

Finally, especially one year before the presidential election, it is fashionable to defend the local economy when you are an Indonesian politician or industrialist.

Especially in a country where the product is on all the kitchen shelves, and where the palm tree even appears on the coins.

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