The Pelalawan Indonesian Plantation Technology Institute (ITP2I) held a strategic discussion forum titled the 3rd Scientific Meeting at the Pelalawan Regent's Office Auditorium, Riau. Held to celebrate ITP2I's decade milestone, this scientific gathering highlighted the acceleration of smart technology and downstreaming to strengthen the national palm oil industry's competitiveness amid global dynamics.
The event brought together various stakeholders, from government officials and academics to international palm oil industry practitioners. Key speakers included experts from Walailak University Thailand, IPB University, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and representatives from Wilmar Africa. Support was also delivered virtually by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP).
Rektor ITP2I, Prof. Tengku Dahril, highlighted the importance of improving human resource quality to support plantation sector research. The institution, which has graduated hundreds of alumni, aims to upgrade its teaching staff's qualifications to doctoral levels to produce practical applied innovations for the palm oil industry.
Representing the Pelalawan Regency Government, Assistant III of the Regional Secretariat Mayhendri emphasized that as one of the palm oil hubs, the region critically needs scientific research support. The transformation from merely exporting raw materials to producing high-value finished goods is key to increasing added value and local community welfare.
In addition to downstreaming, Mayhendri highlighted the urgency of integrating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) into modern agricultural systems. This step is considered crucial to boosting production efficiency while meeting global market demands that prioritize sustainability and product traceability principles.
This scientific forum also examined various key issues, ranging from Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification and strengthening the legality of plantation sector MSMEs to optimizing BPDP's role in research funding. Close synergy between government, academia, and industry players is expected to reinforce Indonesia's strategic position in the global palm oil market.
