Episode 5 - The Missing Link? Youth & Their Role in Palm Oil Sustainability

Youth aren’t just the future—they are the present. While discussions on sustainable palm oil continue to expand, there remains a noticeable gap in youth awareness, 

Hosted by Fara Rom, this episode is Izzuddin Tuah, Youth Sustainable Palm Oil Advocate, who will share valuable insights on the crucial role of young people in shaping a more sustainable future—particularly in the palm oil industry. 

Learn more about sustainable palm oil at www.rspo.org.

*The views and opinions expressed on The Palm Pod are solely those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of The Palm Pod or the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

You are now listening to the palm pod, brought to you by RSPO, a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. Hi, I'm Fara Rom, and you're tuning in to the fifth episode of the Palm Pod, where we host engaging discussions, expert insights, and industry updates on sustainable palm oil, guiding consumers and businesses to make better choices for the planet. And it's 2025. I believe it's never too late to wish everyone a happy new year. And at the palm pod, we took a short break to recalibrate, refresh, and bring you even more engaging and dynamic conversations on sustainable palm oil. So looking back at the RSPORT 2024 conference in Bangkok, Thailand, which is the roundtable conference for sustainable palm oil that happened last year, one of the standout moments was the special firesight chat on Imagining the Next 20, moderated by Ho Jiada from the Regina Rassi Youth Council. And the conversation featured RSBO Board of Governance Co-Chairs, Ann Rosenberger, and also Jose Roberto Montenegro. So the key takeaway from the conversation, there's an urgent need for meaningful engagement with the younger generation to strengthen their involvement in sustainability. And this is really something that I really deeply am passionate about. And that's exactly what we're exploring in today's episode with our special guests. I'm welcoming Isudin Twa. Welcome Isudin to the palm pod.

SPEAKER_01 1:32

Thank you. Thank you, Bara.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

Okay, so let me give a bit of Isuddin's background. Uh Isuddin Twa is an advocate for sustainability and youth engagement in the palm oil industry. But I want to hear from yourself, Izudin. Can you share a bit about your background and your journey in the palm oil industry? What sparked your interests and how you've been involved in driving the change?

SPEAKER_01 1:58

Well, thank you, Farah. And actually, I have been involved in the oil palm industry since 2011 when I pursue my undergraduate degree in plantation management and agrotechnology. Currently, I serve as a lecturer at ICATS College in Sarawak. I'm also the Youth Council Director of Environmental Affairs at Regenerasi and a co-partner of the Young Allies Ambassador Program under the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, CPOPC. My passion for palm oil began when I realized how deeply integrated it is in our everyday products, from skincare and household goods to biofuels and animal feed. What truly inspired me, however, was learning about palm oil's role in supporting small order. It empowers millions of families by providing a stable income, which in turn helps them support their families and invest in their children's education. In terms of driving change, I'm actively involved in promoting sustainable palm oil through education, advocacy, and digital media. As a lecturer, I incorporated some stability into my curriculum to prepare the next generation of planters. Through Regional IC, I work on environmental initiatives that bridge the gap between youth and the industry. Additionally, as a part of the Young Allies Ambassador Program, I create content about sustainable palm oil on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. I also collaborate with the Young Allies from various countries, which helps broaden the conversation and share best practices across producers. And then my goal is to foster a balanced perspective on palm oil, one that recognizes its economic importance while also emphasizing the need for responsible, sustainable practices. By empowering smallholders, engaging with young leaders, and leveraging digital platforms, I am to contribute to a more sustainable future for the industry. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:18

That's really great that you actually mentioned about smallholders and some of the points that influences your passion towards palm oil. Because it's really interesting that not many people, uh or especially young people, know the broader conversation about palm oil. They don't really be involved in the sustainable palm oil or palm oil in general, and they don't know who are the drivers of palm oil. And it's uh really great that you are highlighting smallholders because they are like a huge part of the industry. And with your unique experience, it's interesting that you also said you started in 2011, where how old were you at that time? Was it 20, 19?

SPEAKER_01 5:00

Um, um 17 years old.

SPEAKER_00 5:03

17 years old. That's really young, that's really great. Because we can see, right, like even for myself, there's not much interest in young people in the agricultural sector in general, what more in palm oil? So, why do you think fewer young people are choosing agriculture as a career? Why is there not much interest uh for them to put agriculture as their first choice, even in the university sphere, like yourself, uh, since you are a lecturer, so why do you think that's a trend?

SPEAKER_01 5:34

All right. Um, one of the biggest reasons is the perception that agriculture is a 3D job, which is the dangerous and difficult. A study published uh in Fortunes in Public Health found that many young people see agriculture as physically demanding, uh hazardous, and low in prestige, which makes them look for careers elsewhere. Instead of seeing agriculture as an industry full of innovation and opportunity, they often picture it as just hard labor with outdated methods. Another major factor is the lack of awareness about modern agricultural practices. Research from California agriculture shows that many students don't realize how diverse careers in agriculture actually are. There is an agribusiness, biotechnology, digital agriculture, and sustainability management. The industry today is using drones for crop monitoring, AI-driven solutions for efficiency and precision farming techniques to improve sustainability. But since these advancements are not widely promoted, many young people still see agriculture as a low-tech sector with limited career options. Of course, urbanization and changing career aspirations play a big role too. A report from Taiwan Insight suggests that as more young people move to cities, they become disconnected from agriculture. Many prefer white polar jobs in air conditioned office rather than working in the field, which makes agricultural careers seem less appealing. This shift has led to fewer young professionals entering the industry, even though there's a growing demand for skilled individuals in modern tech-driven agriculture. At the end of the day, outdated perception, lack of awareness about technology in agriculture and urban migration have all contributed to this trend. But the truth is, agriculture is evolving fast with innovation, sustainability, and digital transformations at the front. Profund. There's a huge opportunity for young people to be part of this change, whether in agriculture, stability, or research. The industry just needs to do a better job at showcasing what's possible.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

But it also involves a lot of innovations. And I think it's really important because the agricultural sector is a really important sector for all of us. And if we don't have younger people that is interested in agriculture, we might have an issue of food security in the future. Or it might hinder some innovation that has happened along uh the decades, right? And that is only possible. We are here in the present, and we're only possible to feed a lot of people because of these innovations. So thank you for pointing that out. And I think this also touches the inspiration for young people. How do we convince them? How do we convince the next generation? And you again, I'm mentioning you as a lecturer and you see this in your students. So, how do you exactly instill that importance and make them more passionate about pursuing the agriculture as their career and while at the same time embracing sustainability, of course?

SPEAKER_01 9:03

Well, I think the key is to start integrating agricultural sustainability into education as early as possible from elementary and high school. If we include topics like sustainable farming, climate, smart agriculture, and food security in subjects like geography and science, students will naturally develop an interest in agriculture. They will start seeing it as more than just farming. It's about innovation, sustainability, and solving global challenges like climate change and food security. Beyond classroom learning, hands-on experience makes huge differences. Imagine if a student could actually visit a sustainable farm, an old farm instead, or an organic farm, getting to see modern agricultural practices up close. These experiences can be eye-opening and might inspire young people to explore careers in the field. Another powerful tool is social media. Young people today are on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. So we need to meet them where they are. That's why I believe creating engaging, informating content about agricultural sustainability on these platforms is crucial. We can also collaborate with the content creators, environmental influencers, and media agencies to spread awareness and make agriculture more appealing. So if we make agricultural sustainability both educational and engaging from an early age, we can ensure that the next generation sees it as a carrier of the future, ones that are innovative, impactful, and full of opportunities.

SPEAKER_00 10:45

Do you think youth will be more engaged with the palm oil industry if they were more aware of the existence of sustainable palm oil?

SPEAKER_01 10:54

Absolutely. I believe awareness is the key to engaging more young people in the oil palm industry. Right now, some youth may only hear negative narratives about palm oil, and they may not realize that sustainable palm oil exists and it's making a real impact. Young people today are deeply passionate about sustainability. They care about climate action, ethical consumption, and protecting the environment. If they knew how sustainable palm oil has reduced deforestation, supports biodiversity conservation, and provides livelihood for smallholders, they will be more open to learning about the industry rather than rejecting it outright. Another important aspect is how palm oil connects to innovation and the future. Sustainable palm oil plays a role in renewable energy, biodegradable products, and even waste production through circular economy practices. When young people see that palm oil is evolving and contributing to global sustainability efforts, they might even see career and business opportunities. The way we communicate this is just as important. Social media and digital platforms are where young people get most of their information. So we need to share the real story of sustainable palm oil in ways that are engaging and relatable. If we use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to showcase success stories, real life impacts, and innovative solutions in the industry, we can shift perception and spark more interest. So, yes, I truly believe if young people were more aware of sustainable palm oil and its role in global sustainability, they will engage more with the industry, whether through advocacy, careers, or even entrepreneurship. It's all about changing the narrative and making the industry more transparent and relatable.

SPEAKER_00 12:55

Thank you so much for that insightful thought. Because I think many people don't really um look at young people as a key component, and like you mentioned and suggested, at how we are bombarded with a lot of information out there. And even for myself, I started to be aware of some of the issues in the palm oil industry because I visited a zoo in the US and they were saying that you know palm oil is bad and all that. So I think this is also the situation that we're facing right now because we rarely get a lot of information about sustainable palm oil. And it actually has existed from around probably we can say 2004, if we are to relate back to the formation of roundtable for sustainable palm oil. But until today, there's still a lot of information and knowledge gaps, I think, in young people. And the way that the media works these days as well can influence the way that even, you know, people in grower countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, where we definitely acknowledge there are deforestation that happens, but also we have to acknowledge that we are, as an industry, we're trying to make the industry better. And I feel like young people should be aware of the sustainability that we're taking part of, and also pulling them and inviting them to be a part of the solution as well. So I think I have a question for you. You were a youth yourself before. So if you were to envision, if you could envision the future of youth involvement in the palm oil sector 10 years from now, what would it look like? And what kind of support from industry players that is already in the palm oil sector? What would be essential from them to make that happen?

SPEAKER_01 14:44

Right. I think in the next 10 years, I see a palm oil sector that is technology driven, sustainability focused, and youth lead. I think young people will no longer see the industry as just a plantation world, but as a space for innovation, digital transformation, and problem solving. Imagine drones and AI power system optimizing plantations, precision agriculture reducing waste, and young professionals leading a breakthrough in biodegradable products, high fuels, and sustainable supply chains. The next generation will be at the forefront of making the industry cleaner, smarter, and more transparent. But for the vision to become a reality, the industry needs to step up and invest in young talents. First, we need stronger engagement. Companies should actively collaborate with universities, youth organizations, and content creators to make the industry more relatable. Internship, scholarship, and hands-on sustainability projects will get more young people interested. Second, investment in agri tech and digitalization is also crucial. Young professionals are drawn to technology, automation, and AI. So industry players need to embrace this innovation to attract alerted. Entrepreneurships need uh more support if young people see real business opportunity in palm-on, whether through palm-based startups, sustainable product development, or digital solutions. They will be more likely to enter the sector, providing grants, incubative programs, and funding access and create a new generation of palm-oil entrepreneurs. Another difficult piece of Hazel is storytelling and awareness. Right now, most young people only hear the negative side of palm oil. The industry needs to be more transparent and more engaging and more active on social media. If young voices, media platforms, and accessibility ambassadors share real success stories, it will shift perception and spark interest. And finally, sustainability may remain the core focus. The younger generation cares deeply about climate change, ethical sourcing, and environmental conservation. If the industry prioritizes regenerative agriculture, biodiversity protections, and responsible sourcing, young people will see it as a space where they can truly make a difference. So looking at head, I believe we'll see it a thriving carmel industry led by young innovators, powered by technology and driven sustainability. But it all starts with the right support, the right investment, and a commitment to reshaping the way young people see the industry.

SPEAKER_00 17:23

I truly agree with your uh thoughts and again, commitment is really important to shift negative perception, like you mentioned. And I think there are a couple of or a lot of young people listening to this episode, and maybe they are passionate about sustainability, but at the same time they might be unsure how to get involved. So, focusing on the sustainable palm oil sector, if there are young people who are eager to be part of this journey or the good fight, what advice would you give them?

SPEAKER_01 17:57

If you are passionate about sustainability but don't know where to start, I think the first step is to get involved no matter how small. Sustability isn't just about big projects or policy changes. It starts with learning, taking actions, and connecting with like-minded world. One of the easiest ways to begin is by educating yourself. Read articles, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts that discuss real-world uh environmental challenges and solutions. The more you learn, the more confident you will feel about taking action. Next, find a local or online community, whether it's a youth-led environmental organization, a sustainability club at your school or university, or even a virtual group discussing green initiatives. Being part of community keeps you motivated and gives you opportunities to contribute. Um, if you're looking to be more hands-on, volunteering is a great way to gain experience. Look for opportunities with environmental NGOs, conservation projects, or even sustainable farming initiatives. You'll be surprised at how many organizations are looking for young, passionate people to help drive the mission. And if you are interested in the business or corporate side of sensibility, slow green entrepreneurships, uh, think about how you can bring sustainability into your own work. Whether it's creating eco-friendly products, promoting ethical sourcing, or even using social media to raise awareness about sensibility topics. And finally, use your own, use your voice. Uh, social media is an incredibly powerful tool. If you care about sensibility, start sharing content, engaging in conversation, spreading awareness. You don't need to be an expert. Just start by sharing your journey and what you are learning. The key takeaway is there's no one right way to get involved in sensibility, whether through education, community engagement, volunteering, entrepreneurship, or advocacy, just take the first step. And sustainability is a movement that thrives on action, collaboration, and patience, and young people have the power to make a real impact.

SPEAKER_00 20:15

Yes, I agree with that. Young people have the power to make an impact. And sustainability starts with yourself. And you, as young people, like Izudin mentioned, there's plenty of ways to get involved, you can engage, and like Izudin mentioned as well, the key message is to learn, to start learning about sustainability in any ways possible. Thank you so much, Izudin, for today and for joining me today to discuss the vital role of the next generation in the journey towards sustainable palm oil. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_01 20:47

Thank you so much, Mara.

SPEAKER_00 20:48

I was speaking to our guest, Izudin Tuoh, Youth Sustainable Palm Oil Advocate. I am Farah Rung, and this is the Palm Potter.