InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – A total of 93 independent oil palm smallholders from Aceh Singkil Regency have successfully completed the Technical Oil Palm Cultivation Training under Indonesia's Palm Oil Human Resource Development Program (SDM PKS), supported by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun). The initiative is expected to strengthen farmers' technical capabilities while improving the long-term productivity of smallholder plantations.
Organized by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, the six-day training took place in Medan from July 6–11, 2026. The 93 participants were divided into three batches of 31 farmers each, completing an intensive 48-hour curriculum that combined classroom learning with practical field experience.
Participants received comprehensive instruction covering land suitability assessment, certified seed selection, nursery management, crop maintenance, balanced fertilization, and integrated pest and disease management. The program also featured discussions, case studies, and field practice at Verdant Bioscience PT Timbang Deli Indonesia, allowing farmers to observe best management practices firsthand.
Representing the Head of the Aceh Provincial Agriculture and Plantation Office, Mukhlis, Head of the Plantation Infrastructure, Facilities, and Human Resource Extension Division, emphasized that improving farmers' competencies is essential for enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesia's smallholder palm oil sector.
"Strengthening smallholder capacity is fundamental to increasing plantation productivity, improving farming efficiency, and ultimately raising farmers' incomes," he said in a statement received by InfoSAWIT on Monday (July 13, 2026).
Meanwhile, Henry Marpaung, Director of PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, said the training was designed to deliver practical benefits beyond the classroom. He stressed that participants are expected to immediately apply the knowledge gained once they return to their plantations.
According to Henry, the training was delivered by experienced master trainers with extensive backgrounds in the plantation industry, ensuring that the curriculum remained practical and closely aligned with the challenges faced by independent smallholders.
Acting Head of the Aceh Singkil Agriculture and Plantation Office, Nirwana Angkat, welcomed the program, noting that local farmers had long awaited the opportunity to participate. She added that the regency government is already preparing a new group of participants for future SDM PKS training sessions.
Master Trainer Ronald Pasaribu explained that the curriculum was specifically developed to address real-world issues encountered by independent oil palm growers. In addition to technical theory, the program emphasized practical solutions proven to improve plantation productivity and operational efficiency.
Participants also expressed strong enthusiasm throughout the training. One attendee, Rahmad, said he gained valuable new insights into modern cultivation techniques and plans to implement them to improve yields on his own plantation.
The SDM PKS Program remains one of the Indonesian government's strategic initiatives, implemented through BPDP and the Directorate General of Plantations, to strengthen the quality of human resources in the palm oil sector. By equipping farmers with better technical knowledge and sustainable cultivation practices, the program aims to create a new generation of competent smallholders capable of sharing their expertise with fellow growers while supporting the sustainable growth of Indonesia's palm oil industry. (T2)
