At the Grand Hyatt in Jakarta not long ago, the first steps towards a shift in perception of the palm oil industry were taken. Mikail Kuritzin, an influential figure and the Chairman of the Russian Chambers of Commerce, played a pivotal role in this innovative endeavor. His presence at the meeting space not only reflected a desire to establish productive business relationships but, more profoundly, to promote a positive view of the palm oil industry in Russia.
Mikail Kuritzin, a successful business leader who has connected numerous economic players worldwide, felt it was time to make a substantial contribution to creating a more balanced understanding of the palm oil industry.
“Russia is seeking partners to promote a positive image of palm oil in Russia,” Gunarso emphasized Kuritzin’s words. The decision to develop a comprehensive manual on the palm oil industry became one of the first steps in this effort.
Sawit untuk Negeri (The Palm Oil for the Nation) presented to Mikail Kuritzin aims to foster a broader understanding. This is a step towards building a positive perception of the palm oil industry, supported by scientific data and accountable facts. The book is the result of collaboration between Prof. AB Susanto and Petrus Gunarso, experts in agriculture and the environment. With the touch of professional editor Masri Sareb Putra, the book presents various essential aspects of the palm oil industry in a balanced and informative manner.
Published by Kompas Publisher in 2022, this book has become a crucial source of knowledge for those who want a deeper understanding of the world of palm oil.
In global discussions, the palm oil industry is often associated with controversial issues such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and exploitation. Even extinction is frequently linked to it. However, as explained in this book, these views often highlight the negative aspects while sidelining the potential and fundamental truths. This is what is often referred to as the “post-truth” era, where negative perspectives can more easily spread and dominate the narrative.
In response to this challenge, the manual handed over to Mikail Kuritzin aims to create a broader understanding. This is a step towards establishing a positive perception of the palm oil industry, supported by scientific data and accountable facts.
Through educational efforts via literacy (books), it is hoped that the public’s perception of the palm oil industry can become more balanced, enabling cooperation and sustainable initiatives between Russia and Indonesia and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Palm Oil: A Political-Economic Instrument
Is Palm Oil Truly “Green Gold,” or scientifically known as “elaeis guineensis,” thirsty for water?
Isn’t this a smear campaign to make global palm oil producers like Indonesia and Malaysia submit to other commodity markets dominated by European and American nations?
Now, the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) is not only known as a source of raw materials for products like cooking oil, cosmetics, and various industrial goods.
Beyond that, the oil palm has transformed into a potent political-economic tool.
The tug-of-war between various stakeholders with interests and seeking profits from the oil palm industry has become a daily spectacle in the political-economic arena. This phenomenon is not limited to the national level, such as in Indonesia, but also has significant impact and relevance on a global scale.The oil palm industry has become a fiercely debated and often controversial subject with diverse interests at play.
At the national level, palm oil-producing countries like Indonesia and Malaysia wield significant political and economic influence in managing these resources. Both of these nations compete to secure larger market shares and increase revenue from palm oil exports.
The results of the study in Central Kalimantan indicate a water footprint of 1002.1 m3 per ton of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), consisting of green, blue, and gray water.
In Riau, the water footprint is 593.61 m3 per ton of FFB, with a similar composition.
These research findings provide a better understanding of the impact of oil palm plantations on water resources and demonstrate that oil palm is not as detrimental to the environment as it has been accused of in environmental issues. *)
