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| Sources : https://voi.id/en/memori/149029 |
The history of the palm oil industry in Indonesia traces back to the introduction and commercial cultivation of palm oil seedlings that traveled thousands of kilometers to reach Indonesian shores. This article explores the key figures behind its introduction, initial commercial development, and the integration of palm oil cultivation into Indonesia’s agricultural landscape.
According to various sources, the first palm oil seeds arrived in Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies) around 1848, brought by the Dutch colonial government from Nigeria. Similarly, Malaysia received its first palm oil seeds in 1875, introduced by the British colonial government through Singapore (MPOC, 2012). Despite Singapore no longer having palm oil plantations today, it stands as the first region to receive African-origin palm oil seeds.











