Prabowo wants farmers to benefit most from B50 program

Karawang, W Java (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto said on Thursday Indonesia's palm oil farmers must be the biggest beneficiaries of the country's new mandatory B50 biodiesel program, linking the policy to higher incomes and stronger energy security.

Speaking at the launch of the Mandatory B50 Biodiesel program at the KM 57 Rest Area in Karawang, West Java, Prabowo said the initiative marked a milestone in Indonesia's efforts to expand palm oil downstream industries while reducing dependence on imported diesel.

"This is our collective effort. Today is a historic milestone. Our farmers will continue to increase their incomes. We will succeed when our farmers have better lives," Prabowo said.

The president said the B50 program, which blends 50 percent palm-based biodiesel with diesel fuel, would strengthen national energy resilience while generating greater added value from Indonesia's palm oil industry.

He stressed that the government's downstream strategy must ultimately improve farmers' welfare, ensuring they receive the largest economic benefits from the country's vast palm oil resources.

Prabowo said reports from several provinces indicated that farmers' purchasing power had improved, reflecting rising household incomes following government policies.

"I have also received reports from various provinces that our farmers are buying more motorcycles and cars, with purchases increasing by dozens of percent," he said.

The president added that more farmers were now able to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and purchase livestock for Eid al-Adha sacrifices, which he described as further evidence of improving prosperity.

"It means they now have money. This is the purpose of our development. Our people must prosper," Prabowo said.

He said Indonesia should not accept a situation in which its people remain poor despite the country's abundant natural resources.

According to Prabowo, all downstream industrial policies, including palm oil-based biodiesel development, are designed to ensure economic gains are returned to the public, particularly farmers.

"We must not lack confidence. We must never accept that our people should remain poor. We are a wealthy country, and our people must also enjoy that wealth," he said.

Prabowo also thanked researchers, universities, state-owned energy company Pertamina, and other stakeholders for supporting the development of Indonesia's biodiesel industry.

He encouraged scientists and industry players to continue advancing biofuel technology beyond the B50 mandate.

"I thank the scientists from our universities. Continue this research. Thank you, Pertamina, and everyone on your team. Keep going, don't stop at B50. If possible, move on to B60," Prabowo said.

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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak

Editor: Primayanti

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