JAKARTA (Bernama): President Joko Widodo inaugurated Indonesia’s first red cooking oil production facility in North Sumatra this week, aiming to advance the country's palm oil industry and empower farmers.
The pilot plant, situated at Pagar Merbau in Deli Serdang, has a daily capacity to produce 10 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO), resulting in approximately seven tonnes of red cooking oil per day, he said.
This initiative is in line with Indonesia’s efforts to enhance the value of its palm oil sector, leveraging its vast oil palm plantations covering 15.3 million hectares, with 40.5 per cent, or 6.2 million hectares, owned by farmers.
Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, highlighted that the plant’s opening is also part of an effort to add value to commodities through the processing of finished products.
"If possible, turn fresh fruit bunches and CPO into finished products like this. This is highly beneficial," he said at the inauguration ceremony, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s social media channel.
Jokowi expressed optimism that the production of red cooking oil will enhance the competitiveness of local palm oil products, as it provides a more affordable alternative compared to other options in the market.
He also stressed the health and economic benefits of red cooking oil, highlighting its retention of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which are essential for the well-being of the community.
He was accompanied by senior officials, including Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono and Holding Perkebunan Nusantara PTPN III managing director Mohammad Abdul Ghani. - Bernama
