Indonesia’s president tells oil palm farmers to diversify towards higher value crops

In Indonesia, the Jakarta Post newspaper reports that the president has told oil palm farmers to look at alternative crops such as durian due to the fruit’s better prospects in the market compared to palm oil. Currently the country produces around 46 million metric tons of palm oil annually, making Indonesia the largest producer in the world. With countries in Europe turning against palm oil for biodiesel production due to it allegedly poor environmental credentials, demand is expected to drop so the president suggested farmers get out early.