InfoSAWIT, PALU – A total of 155 oil palm smallholders from North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, have completed a six-day technical training program aimed at improving plantation productivity through the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The training, held in Palu from July 6–11, 2026, formed part of Indonesia's Palm Oil Human Resources Development (SDM PKS) Program, supported by the Directorate General of Plantations under the Ministry of Agriculture and funded by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). The program was implemented by PT Citra Widya Education (CWE).
Participants, consisting of 128 men and 27 women, were divided into five training batches and represented villages across North Morowali, the largest oil palm-producing regency in Central Sulawesi.
The initiative seeks to strengthen farmers' technical knowledge and management skills to improve yields, enhance crop quality, and promote sustainable plantation practices.
Speaking during the opening session, PT Citra Widya Education President Director St. Nugroho Kristono said improving farmers' competencies remains essential for narrowing the productivity gap between smallholder plantations and large commercial estates.
He noted that PT Citra Widya Education has partnered with the Directorate General of Plantations and BPDP for the past four years to deliver capacity-building programs for Indonesia's palm oil sector.
Throughout the program, participants received technical instruction covering nursery management, crop maintenance, balanced fertilization, pest and disease control, and sustainable plantation management. Classroom sessions were complemented by discussions and practical learning designed to help farmers apply the techniques directly in their own plantations.
Kristono added that post-training assistance would continue to ensure participants are able to implement the knowledge effectively and improve long-term plantation performance.
Meanwhile, Central Sulawesi Head of Plantation and Livestock Agency Muhammad Neng welcomed the initiative, saying it would help farmers adopt cultivation practices that comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards while improving the quality of fresh fruit bunches in line with Indonesia's national standards.
North Morowali was selected as the training location because it has more than 38,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and is supported by five palm oil mills, making it one of Central Sulawesi's most important palm oil production centers.
The program is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of smallholders by increasing plantation productivity, supporting Indonesia's growing demand for palm oil—including biodiesel feedstock—and promoting the sustainable development of the country's palm oil industry. (T2)
