PALMOILMAGAZINE, EAST KOTAWARINGIN, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN – The research team of Institut Pertanian Stiper (INSTIPER) Yogyakarta, in collaboration with PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA), has introduced a new plantation technology innovation through the launch of the Autonomous Intermittent Fertilizer Spreader, an autonomous tractor designed for oil palm fertilization with higher efficiency and precision.
The technology was officially launched at BGA Group Region 3 estate in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday (April 25, 2025). The innovation is the result of a joint research initiative led by Rengga Arnalis Renjani, supported by funding from the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) under the 2024 Palm Oil Research Grant (GRS) program.
The autonomous tractor was developed to improve fertilization efficiency through an intermittent application system, meaning fertilizer is spread only at targeted intervals rather than continuously. Equipped with precision navigation, sensors, and artificial intelligence, the machine can detect oil palm trees with up to 98% accuracy, ensuring fertilizer is applied exactly where needed.
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Rengga Arnalis Renjani, head of the research team and lecturer at INSTIPER’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology, said the project is part of a broader push to modernize plantations through research-driven innovation.
He explained that the intermittent system distinguishes the machine from conventional spreaders, which often distribute fertilizer continuously and risk wastage through off-target application.
“This autonomous tractor is designed to improve the efficiency and precision of fertilization through an intermittent system, which involves applying fertilizer at intervals. This differs from conventional spreader tractors, which dispense fertilizer continuously, potentially causing it to miss the target and thereby reducing fertilizer losses,” said Rengga in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday (April 27).
In operation, the tractor can move autonomously along pre-programmed routes. Fertilizer is released only when the machine reaches designated palm tree zones, making usage more efficient and aligned with agronomic needs.
Field trials showed the machine can cover up to 30 hectares per day, a sharp improvement over manual methods that average only 2.8 hectares daily.
Cost efficiency is equally significant. Fertilization expenses were reduced from IDR 96,053 to IDR 39,500 per hectare, representing savings of around IDR 56,000 per hectare, or roughly 60%. Total annual savings could reach IDR 374 million, with an estimated payback period of just 1.6 years.
Technically, the machine is equipped with a 300-kilogram hopper and fertilizer spreading range of 5 to 15 meters. It is compatible with multiple fertilizer types, including NPK, dolomite, kieserite, and rock phosphate.
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BPDP Research and Development Committee member Prof. Didiek Hadjar Goenadi said the innovation marks an important step in advancing mechanization across Indonesia’s palm oil industry. He noted that precision fertilization technology is increasingly important amid rising fertilizer prices and labor shortages.
From an industry perspective, BGA welcomed the technology’s implementation. Yogi Akbar Hermansyah, Project Mechanization Department Head at BGA, said the system addresses weaknesses of conventional blanket fertilization methods.
“With autonomous operations and targeted fertilization, efficiency improves while better matching the agronomic needs of the crop,” said Yogi, who is also part of the research team.
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He added that the technology also improves workplace safety, as operators no longer need direct contact with fertilizer, reducing the risk of chemical exposure.
The launch of the Autonomous Intermittent Fertilizer Spreader reflects growing collaboration between academia, government, and industry to modernize and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s oil palm plantation sector. (P3)
