InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – A total of 60 palm oil farmers and their assistants from Batubara Regency, North Sumatra, officially participated in a Technical Training on Palm Oil Cultivation held from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at Hotel AIHO Medan. This event is part of the 2025 Palm Oil Human Resource Development Program, supported by the Palm Oil Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun), Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, and PT Koompasia Enviro Institute (KEI) as the technical training implementer.
The training aims to enhance the technical capacity and knowledge of independent farmers, enabling them to manage palm oil plantations productively, efficiently, and sustainably. The program is comprehensively designed, combining classroom learning, hands-on practice, technical simulations, and field visits to leading plantation companies.
Susilistiawati Ritonga, Head of the Batubara Agriculture and Plantation Office, emphasized the importance of government support in providing ongoing guidance to farmers, particularly independent farmers who still require technical capacity strengthening.
"The Batubara Regency Government is committed to nurturing and improving the quality of human resources for palm oil farmers. Through this training, we hope that farmers can maintain and enhance the quality and quantity of production optimally, thus being able to compete and contribute to the national palm oil supply chain," Susilistiawati stated in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday (July 9, 2025).
During the five-day training, participants received various materials presented interactively by trainers from PT Koompasia Enviro Institute. Topics covered included regulatory understanding, seedling management, maintenance of immature (TBM) and mature (TM) plants, and pest control.
Henri Marpaung, Director of PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, noted that the training was designed not only to focus on material delivery but also to strengthen participant engagement.
"We structured this training with a participatory approach. Participants are not just passive listeners; they actively engage in discussions, simulations, and hands-on practices. We want to ensure that every participant truly understands and can apply the best cultivation techniques in their farms," Henri explained.
Participants' enthusiasm was evident from the first day of training, with a dynamic classroom atmosphere characterized by active discussions, critical questions, and a high spirit of learning. The combination of visual approaches, hands-on practice, and communicative teaching methods made the training easy to understand and apply.
In line with this, the North Sumatra Plantation and Livestock Office, represented by Polora Barimbing, SP. MM, expressed great appreciation to all training participants for maintaining their learning spirit from start to finish.
As a highlight of the event, on Friday, July 4, 2025, participants took part in a field trip to PT. PP London Sumatra Indonesia, BahLias Estate, located in Perdagangan I, Simalungun Regency. Here, participants witnessed the application of professional palm oil cultivation practices, from seedling management to TBM and TM management, as well as harvest management. Participants also engaged in direct discussions with managers and field practitioners to delve deeper into the technical aspects learned in class.
This activity is expected to mark the beginning of a transformation in the capacity of independent palm oil farmers in Batubara Regency, while also promoting the adoption of efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The training demonstrates the tangible commitment of BPDPKS and Ditjenbun to support independent farmers in better preparing for the evolving challenges of the palm oil industry. (T2)
