InfoSAWIT, BANDA ACEH – The Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Union (SPKS) Aceh has called on the Directorate General of Estates (Dirjenbun) under the Ministry of Agriculture to extend the registration period for the 2026 Palm Oil Human Capital Development Program, arguing that many prospective applicants are still awaiting document verification after the official deadline passed.
SPKS Aceh Chairman Abubakar AR said a significant number of applications submitted by children of oil palm smallholders in Aceh remained under review when registration closed on June 21, 2026.
“We hope the Directorate General of Estates can provide several additional days for registration. Many children of oil palm farmers are still waiting for document verification and have not been able to proceed with the selection process,” Abubakar told InfoSAWIT on Monday (22/6/2026).
According to him, closing the registration process while document verification is still ongoing could prevent eligible candidates from accessing educational opportunities through a scholarship scheme designed to strengthen Indonesia’s future palm oil workforce.
Abubakar emphasized that the Palm Oil Human Capital Program plays a strategic role in developing a new generation of skilled professionals capable of contributing to the long-term growth of the country’s palm oil industry.
He argued that a more flexible approach would help regions facing administrative challenges and ensure equal access for students from smallholder families.
“It would be unfortunate if children of oil palm farmers who have completed the requirements miss this opportunity simply because the verification process has not been finalized,” he said.
SPKS Aceh believes that extending the registration period would support broader educational access for palm oil farming communities, particularly in plantation-producing regions such as Aceh.
The organization also urged the government to continue strengthening its commitment to human capital development through scholarship and training programs that can reach more children from oil palm farming families across Indonesia.
“We hope policies will continue to support educational advancement for the children of oil palm farmers throughout Indonesia’s plantation regions,” Abubakar concluded. (T2)
