InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — The Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) has officially submitted a request for an extension of the registration period for the Palm Oil Scholarship 2025 program supported by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS). The request is outlined in a letter numbered 031/EX/SPKS/V/2025 sent on May 31, 2025.
SPKS Chairman Sabarudin stated that they fully support the implementation of this year's scholarship program launched by the Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture. This program is aimed at the children of farmers and workers in the palm oil sector by providing vocational (D1, D2, D3, and D4) and academic (S1) scholarships in the field of palm oil plantations.
"This year, the scholarship quota has increased from 3,000 to 4,000 participants and is being held at 41 of the best campuses in Indonesia. This demonstrates the government's strong commitment to producing a competitive and superior young generation in the palm oil sector," said Sabarudin in a statement received by InfoSAWIT on Saturday (May 31, 2025).
However, SPKS believes that the selection period from May 16 to May 31, 2025, is too short. Therefore, the organization is requesting an extension of the selection period to provide broader opportunities for potential recipients, especially from remote palm oil villages who have not yet completed the registration process.
"We have received reports from various regions that many children of farmers and palm oil workers have not finished registering. If the registration period is extended, it will help reach them more evenly," he stated.
Currently, SPKS is also preparing the children of its members to register and actively socializing this program in 22 districts and 10 provinces. This socialization is crucial to ensure that scholarship information reaches all palm oil farmer communities and helps them understand the requirements and registration processes.
In addition to the extension of time, SPKS also proposes that the scholarship quota allocation be distributed evenly per province. According to Sabarudin, this policy is important so that each palm oil-producing region can have a well-educated young generation ready to strengthen the sustainable palm oil industry in their respective areas.
"This is part of efforts to strengthen the future of Indonesia's palm oil industry, making it inclusive and sustainable. We hope this proposal can be considered by the relevant parties," he concluded. (T2)
