InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — On August 15, 2025, instructors from the training program "New Paradigm of Fertilization Management, with Root & Canopy Management" organized by ETCAS Consultant and the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Padjadjaran (Faperta Unpad), supported by Media Energy World and InfoSAWIT, held a technical discussion and implementation guidelines session. The clear objective was to equip participants with the latest techniques to elevate palm oil productivity from 3 tons to 7–8 tons per hectare per year.
This training initiative responds to challenges posed by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ir. Amran Sulaiman, and the Chairman of GAPKI, Eddy Martono, both of whom aim for a significant increase in national palm oil production to 119 million tons and 100 million tons per year, respectively. These targets are deemed realistic, given the production potential of 10–12 tons per hectare, equivalent to 170–200 million tons annually, without the need to clear new land.
"The era of productivity must begin now. There are significant opportunities from the B100 program and an increasingly open global market," stated the organizers during the discussion.
Faperta Unpad expressed its readiness to collaborate with both large plantations and smallholder farmers to achieve these ambitious targets. Key technologies such as the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Production Force Management based on root and canopy management will be pivotal. "This is our tangible contribution to the nation," emphasized a representative from Unpad.
Looking ahead, the training material will expand in 2026 to include mapping, drone usage in agriculture, and flood and waterlogging management, which are common issues in many palm oil plantations. The preparation of materials is targeted for completion in the first week of August, with experts like Prof. Cucu Suherman and Dr. Mira Ariyanti (palm plant and physiology specialists), Prof. Rija Sudirman (soil fertility expert), and Dr. Memet Hakim (plantation practitioner) ready to oversee the training to ensure it yields real impacts in the field. (T2)
