PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Indonesian government is preparing to reopen the 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources (HR) Scholarship Program, offering educational opportunities for individuals connected to the country’s palm oil sector.
The program will once again prioritize oil palm smallholders, their family members, plantation workers, leaders of farmer institutions and associations, as well as civil servants and extension officers working in the palm oil industry.
As part of the government’s long-term commitment to strengthening human capital in the plantation sector, the scholarship aims to produce a new generation of skilled and professional talent capable of supporting the sustainable development of Indonesia’s palm oil industry.
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Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing and regularly monitor official announcements through the Directorate General of Plantations website and the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) portal.
According to information obtained by Palmoilmagazine.com from BPDP on Monday (March 9, 2026), the scholarship program has reached 9,265 beneficiaries since its launch in 2016, with total funding realization amounting to Rp938 billion. The figure reflects the government’s consistent commitment to improving the quality of human resources in Indonesia’s plantation sector.
In 2025 alone, BPDP awarded scholarships to 4,000 new recipients pursuing education from Diploma 1 (D1) to Bachelor’s degree (S1) programs. The scholarships covered 71 study programs in collaboration with 41 universities across Indonesia.
Priority continues to be given to children of smallholders, plantation workers, agricultural extension officers, and civil servants assigned to the palm oil sector. Graduates are expected not only to enter large-scale industry but also to return to their home regions to strengthen smallholder plantations and help improve productivity at the grassroots level.
Under Presidential Regulation No. 132 of 2024, BPDP’s mandate has expanded beyond palm oil to include the management of funds for coconut and cocoa commodities. With this broader responsibility, scholarship and human resource development programs are expected to gradually expand to cover these two strategic plantation commodities.
BPDP reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving the skills and competencies of the younger generation in the plantation sector. With stronger human capital, the future development of Indonesia’s plantation industry is expected to become more resilient—supported not only by palm oil but also by the growing contributions of coconut and cocoa. (P2)
