InfoSAWIT, BANDA ACEH – A total of 111 palm oil farmers from Aceh Tamiang and East Aceh regencies received technical training on oil palm cultivation in Banda Aceh from September 8-12, 2025. The event, held at the Grand Nanggroe Hotel, was part of the 2025 Palm Oil Plantation Human Resources Development Program, a collaboration between the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Directorate General of Plantations of the Ministry of Agriculture, and IPB Training.
The training was divided into four sessions, with 59 participants from Aceh Tamiang and 52 from East Aceh. The topics covered included seed preparation, land management, planting processes, plant maintenance, and pest and disease control. The goal is to enhance farmers' skills so they can maintain their plantations' productivity sustainably.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Head of the Aceh Agriculture and Plantation Office, Cut Huzaimah; a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture's BPPSDMP, M. Apuk Ismane; and the Head of the Palm Oil Empowerment and Institutional Group at the Directorate General of Plantations, Mula Putra. The IPB Training team of experts included Dr. Haryadi, Sri Hermawan, Prof. Suwardi, Sofyan Jaman, Dr. Rully Anwar, and Abdul Rosid.
In his presentation, Dr. Haryadi emphasized the importance of applying the Seven Aspects of Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation, from land legality and productivity improvement to continuous production, environmentally friendly practices, and product traceability. "This training is not just about gaining knowledge but also an opportunity for farmers to improve their cultivation practices to be more professional and quality-oriented," he said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Friday (9/12/2025).
The training atmosphere was enlivened with a motivational slogan: "Ready to Learn, Ready to Grow – Strong Human Resources, Glorious Palm Oil." Participants not only received classroom materials but also engaged in field practice, including a visit to PT Agro Sinergi Nusantara (ASN) on September 11, 2025. There, they learned about seed selection, nursery techniques, maintenance, and how to differentiate between certified and non-certified seeds.
At the mature plantation, participants were shown harvesting techniques, post-harvest handling, and how to identify pests and diseases. Discussions were active, especially when discussing examples of substandard seeds and how to address them. "This field visit is expected to equip farmers to manage their plantations more professionally, independently, and sustainably for the progress of Indonesian palm oil," said one of the facilitators.
The activity was enthusiastically welcomed by the farmers. They actively asked questions and discussed with field practitioners, absorbing real-world experience on more efficient plantation management. Through this training, it is hoped that Aceh's palm oil farmers can increase their independence, strengthen their competitiveness, and help support the sustainability of the national palm oil industry. (T2)
