InfoSAWIT, DELI SERDANG – Practical field experience is becoming an increasingly important component of Indonesia's efforts to improve the capabilities of independent oil palm smallholders. To support this objective, the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun) under the Ministry of Agriculture, and PT Koompasia Enviro Institute (KEI) organized a field study visit at Verdant Bioscience PT Timbang Deli Indonesia in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra.
The field trip formed part of the 2026 Palm Oil Plantation Human Resources Development Program (SDM-PKS), attended by 90 independent smallholders and farmer facilitators from Aceh Singkil Regency.
Designed to complement classroom instruction, the visit provided participants with first-hand exposure to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) implemented in a commercial oil palm plantation.
During the program, participants observed the management of immature and mature plantations, as well as nursery operations. They also learned about balanced fertilization, crop maintenance, weed control, land conservation, and plantation management systems aimed at improving long-term productivity.
The field-based approach enabled farmers to interact directly with plantation professionals, allowing them to compare their existing cultivation methods with industry-standard operating procedures.
According to Ichsan, Master Trainer at PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, the field trip was designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
"Through this visit, participants can directly observe how every stage of plantation management is implemented according to established standards. We hope they will apply these best practices upon returning to their farms, ultimately improving productivity in a sustainable manner," Ichsan said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Monday (July 28).
Participants showed strong enthusiasm throughout the program, raising questions on cultivation techniques, plantation maintenance efficiency, and strategies for managing productive oil palm estates.
One participant, Yadi Al Bahri, said the experience provided valuable new insights into industry-standard plantation management.
"Previously, we only understood the theory or local farming practices. Seeing plantation operations firsthand has helped us better understand proper cultivation standards. There are many techniques we plan to implement once we return to Aceh Singkil," he said.
The technical training was conducted from July 20–25, 2026, at AIHO Hotel Medan, with participants divided into three training groups. Over six days, the program combined classroom sessions with practical field exercises to ensure the knowledge gained could be directly applied.
The SDM-PKS initiative, supported by BPDP and the Directorate General of Plantations, is part of the Indonesian government's broader effort to strengthen the capacity of independent oil palm smallholders. Through competency-based training and direct field exposure, the program aims to improve plantation productivity, operational efficiency, and the long-term competitiveness of Indonesia's smallholder palm oil sector. (T2)
