PALMOILMAGAZINE, MEDAN – A total of 90 independent oil palm smallholders from Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province, have completed an intensive technical training program on sustainable oil palm cultivation under Indonesia’s Oil Palm Plantation Human Resources Development Program (SDM PKS).
Organized by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute with support from the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun) of the Ministry of Agriculture, the program aims to strengthen farmers’ technical skills, improve plantation productivity, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Held in Medan from July 20–25, 2026, the training combined five days of classroom instruction with a day of field practice at Verdant Bioscience, PT Timbang Deli Indonesia, enabling participants to translate theory into practical applications.
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The participants, representing several districts across Aceh Singkil, were divided into three training batches. The curriculum focused on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), covering the use of certified superior seedlings, proper planting techniques, balanced fertilization, and integrated pest and disease management to improve yields and fruit quality.
Representing the Head of the Aceh Provincial Agriculture and Plantation Office, Mukhlis emphasized that developing skilled human resources is fundamental to strengthening Indonesia’s smallholder palm oil sector.
He noted that improving farmers’ understanding of certified planting materials and effective pest and disease management would help increase productivity while improving household incomes.
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“This training is essential for farmers, particularly in understanding the importance of certified superior seedlings and proper pest and disease control. The knowledge gained is expected to improve productivity, harvest quality, and farmers’ welfare,” he said in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday.
Henry Marpaung, Director of PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, described the SDM PKS initiative as a long-term government investment designed to produce professional and competitive oil palm growers capable of meeting the industry’s evolving challenges.
He added that BPDP’s commitment to human capital development has become a strategic pillar for enhancing smallholder productivity, with the training designed around modern plantation standards through expert instructors, practical learning methods, and industry-based field exercises.
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The program also received appreciation from Nirwana Angkat, Acting Head of the Aceh Singkil Plantation Office, who said the training was especially valuable given the regency’s position as one of Aceh’s largest oil palm-producing regions.
According to her, strengthening farmers’ competencies is critical to building a more productive, competitive, and sustainable plantation sector.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in lectures, group discussions, case studies, simulations, and hands-on demonstrations led by plantation specialists. The practical approach was intended to help farmers confidently apply modern cultivation techniques in their own plantations.
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Master Trainer Ronald Pasaribu highlighted that plantation productivity largely depends on farmers consistently implementing proper cultivation practices from the earliest stages of planting.
He explained that certified planting materials, balanced fertilization, effective weed control, and integrated pest and disease management are key to achieving higher yields while reducing production costs.
As part of the field component, participants visited Verdant Bioscience, PT Timbang Deli Indonesia, where they observed commercial nursery management, mature plantation maintenance, nutrient management, weed control, and pest and disease identification under professional plantation operations.
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One participant, Surianto J., said the program provided valuable new knowledge and practical techniques that he plans to apply to improve the productivity of his own plantation.
Following the training, PT Koompasia Enviro Institute will continue supporting participants through monitoring activities and the establishment of demonstration plots (demplots). The follow-up initiative will assess technology adoption, measure the training’s impact on plantation productivity, and encourage the consistent implementation of sustainable cultivation practices.
Through the collaboration between BPDP, the Directorate General of Plantations, and PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, the SDM PKS program is expected to produce a new generation of oil palm smallholders equipped with stronger technical capabilities, greater adaptability to agricultural innovation, and improved competitiveness to support the long-term growth of Indonesia’s palm oil industry. (P2)
