InfoSAWIT, BALI – Jean-Marc Roda, Director of CIRAD Southeast Asia, outlined four main challenges facing the vegetable oil industry during the 7th International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) in Sanur, Bali. These challenges include food security, energy needs, climate change, and the dissemination of knowledge to all stakeholders.
In a session themed "Agro-Ecological Transformation of Palm Oil: Towards Climate and Environment-Friendly Agriculture," Roda explained that food security is a primary challenge in meeting the growing global demand for vegetable oil. "Production must increase without massively expanding land, which risks damaging ecosystems. It is crucial to understand the most efficient vegetable oils in production to optimize the future of this industry," he stated during his speech at ICOPE 2025.
Sustainability is also a critical factor in this industry. Challenges related to energy, waste materials, and resource efficiency must be addressed with innovative solutions. Roda emphasized that the global community increasingly demands transparency and sustainability in supply chains, requiring the industry to adapt to higher standards.
Climate change is another major concern. Roda discussed its impacts on ecosystems, including biodiversity loss and changing weather patterns affecting crop yields. He reminded attendees that collaboration is essential in finding solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture and plantations.
The final challenge he mentioned is how to disseminate research findings to all stakeholders, particularly smallholder farmers. According to him, large companies find it easier to adopt the latest innovations compared to small-scale farmers with limited resources. Therefore, ensuring that technology and best practices can be applied equitably is crucial.
At the end of the session, Roda touched on the role of digitalization in transforming the vegetable oil industry. He stated that digital technology will significantly change industry practices, presenting both positive aspects and new challenges to address. Continuous discussion and evaluation are necessary to ensure that digital innovations are implemented fairly and sustainably for all stakeholders. (T2)
