On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Student Family of the Department of Agricultural Socioeconomics (KMSEP) at Gadjah Mada University, in collaboration with the Palm Oil Agribusiness Strategic Policy Institute (PAPSI) and the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), hosted a book review seminar titled “Myths vs Facts: Indonesian Palm Oil Industry in Global Social, Economic and Environmental Issues, Fourth Edition.” This event, graced by 221 participants, including esteemed figures from the industrial and academic sectors, aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the palm oil industry. Notable attendees included Dr. Ir. Tungkot Sipayung (Executive Director of PAPSI), Eddy Abdurrachman (Main Director of BPDPKS), and leading lecturers from Gadjah Mada University such as Dr. Dyah Woro Untari, Prof. Dr. Jamhari, Dr. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, and Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Raharjo.
The seminar commenced with a rich cultural display, featuring traditional dance performances and warm greetings from Dr. Jangkung Handoyo Mulyo, Chair of the Department of Agricultural Socioeconomics, and Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. The keynote address, delivered by BPDPKS representatives, underscored the pivotal role of BPDPKS in the development of the palm oil industry. The event also included a creative content competition, designed to enhance students’ understanding of the industry beyond the book review.
The book discussants, Prof. Dr. Jamhari, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Raharjo, and Dr. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, opened new insights by presenting convincing data and facts. The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of the book in arousing the younger generation’s interest in the palm oil industry, which promises to be a sustainable industry.
The book review moderator, Mrs. Dyah Woro Untari, underlined the book’s role in breaking the black campaign against the palm oil industry. At the same time, Dr. Ir. Tungkot Sipayung highlighted the importance of this book as a tool to raise awareness of black campaign attacks on the palm oil industry. Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Raharjo, M.Sc., one of the discussants, explained the importance of literature in correcting hoax information circulating regarding the palm oil industry and highlighted the balanced fat content in palm oil.
This event became an essential momentum in changing the paradigm surrounding the palm oil industry. Through book reviews and creative content competitions, it is hoped that participants will be able to broaden their insight into facts about the palm oil industry and become agents of change who can bring accurate and balanced information to the broader community.