PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) plans a significant expansion of its palm oil human resources (HR) development program in 2026, including a larger scholarship quota for new university students.
According to a presentation by BPDP Head of Planning and Services Division Nugroho Adi Wibowo during a discussion attended by Palmoilmagazine.com in early March 2026 in Jakarta, the agency is targeting 5,000 new scholarship recipients for the 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources Development Program.
In addition to the scholarship expansion, BPDP is also aiming to provide training programs for 15,000 smallholders and palm oil industry stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen workforce capacity in the strategic sector.
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“Overall, the target for the palm oil HR development program in 2026 is 28,127 participants, including new scholarship recipients and training participants,” Nugroho explained during the presentation.
Palm Oil HR Development Program Continues to Grow
Over the past several years, BPDP’s palm oil human resources development initiatives have shown a steady increase in the number of beneficiaries.
As of December 31, 2025, BPDP data shows that 29,263 participants have taken part in training programs, while 13,265 individuals have joined education or scholarship programs under the palm oil HR development initiative.
Among the scholarship recipients, 3,910 students have already graduated from universities that collaborate with BPDP.
The program currently involves 42 universities across Indonesia and has conducted around 900 training classes in various palm oil plantation regions.
In addition, the palm oil HR development program has reached 21 provinces across the country, particularly in major palm oil-producing areas.
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Nugroho noted that the palm oil scholarship program plays a strategic role in preparing a new generation of professionals in the palm oil sector, covering fields such as cultivation, processing, and industry management.
Through the program, students from palm oil smallholder families as well as the wider public are given the opportunity to pursue higher education at universities offering study programs related to the palm oil industry.
Beyond formal education, BPDP also implements outreach programs, mentoring initiatives, and technical training for smallholders to improve their knowledge, skills, and plantation productivity.
With the increased targets for scholarships and training participants in 2026, BPDP hopes the human resources development program will further strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s palm oil industry while supporting the long-term sustainability of this key sector. (P2)
