InfoSAWIT, JAMBI – For palm oil farmers, tending the plantation is not just about today's harvest, but about cultivating hope for the family's future. Through the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation (PSR) program, farmers are now receiving tangible support in the form of funding, superior seeds, and technical training to boost productivity and improve welfare.
One success story is that of Sukasno, a palm oil farmer from Meranti Village, Jambi, who has been farming since 1991. His life changed significantly through a partnership with PT Kresna Duta Agroindo (KDA) under the PSR program. When his palm trees aged and yields dropped, he faced a dilemma: high replanting costs and loss of income during the waiting period for new trees to bear fruit.
New hope emerged when the Gapoktan Sumber Urip (Farmer Group Association), to which Sukasno belongs, partnered with PT KDA. This PSR program aligns with Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food's sustainability initiative, Collective for Impact, which targets training 100,000 smallholders by 2035. Through joint socialization with the company and the government, farmers learned about financial support of up to Rp 50 million for every 2 hectares of rejuvenated land.
"Initially, I was doubtful, but after it was explained that the PSR fund was not a loan, I became convinced. Especially after seeing the company's seriousness in assisting the farmers," Sukasno said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Thursday (16/10/2025).
Sukasno not only received financial assistance but also acquired new knowledge about Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The results are evident: if Sukasno previously harvested only around 600–700 kilograms per plot, his yield has now increased to 1,200–1,400 kilograms per harvest.
Suwarno, Chairman of Gapoktan Sumber Urip, shared a similar story. He started replanting in 2020 and has completed three phases. He stated that the greatest benefit of the PSR program is access to superior Dami Mas seeds and structured technical assistance.
The farmers also received support from the local government to implement intercropping—planting food crops like upland rice and vegetables between the young palm oil trees—to secure additional income while waiting for the new palms to produce.
This collaboration among the company, government, and farmers serves as a real example of inclusive development synergy in the plantation sector. Now, both Sukasno and Suwarno are reaping the benefits of the partnership. From independent farmers struggling alone, they have become partner farmers with access to knowledge, technology, and financial support. (T2)
