Study on Palm Oil Cultivation and Processing Technology to Support the Biofuel Program (Optimization for the Development of Palm Oil-Based Energy Plantation in Indonesia)

Abstract

Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is an important commodity for Indonesia, after fossil oil is no longer the main component of export products. The bioenergy product that has been well developed and applied is biodiesel. The development of CPO for bioenergy has some obstacles, such the amount of CPO needed is large so that it will affect the capacity of CPO used for food. In addition, the price of CPO which is considered high is around US$ 700-900/ton, whereas the ideal price of CPO as a bioenergy raw material is a maximum of US$ 400/ton. Several approaches that are recommended as a solution to overcome these problems are optimization of palm oil cultivation, harvesting management, and also processing technology. The methodology used in this research includes collecting data from palm oil industry players, palm oil mills (PKS), academics involved in the development of the palm oil industry, and professional organizations related to palm oil. The data was obtained by conducting discussions and knowledge sharing with them. The results of this study will assist policy makers, in this case the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and the Ministry of Agriculture to determine bioenergy development policies that involve aquaculture ecosystems, land selection, industrial location and optimal process technology. The Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) can partner to develop palm oil-based energy, the Ministry of Agriculture will develop palm cultivation which is sufficient to support mustard products for energy, palm land can be restructured according to energy needs. To support the energy plantation program, it is recommended that the government set up a palm plantation devoted to energy covering an area of 250,000 hectares on state land or state-owned enterprises (BUMN). Procurement of palm oil plantations can be done in stages from 25 hectares, according to land potential and budget.