PALMOILMAGAZINE, SIMALUNGUN – Bersatu Makmur Jaya (BMJ) Consumer Cooperative, whose members are independent oil palm farmers in Nagori Boluk Village, Bosar Maligas District, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, is continuing to strengthen its institutional capacity to improve professionalism and deliver greater benefits to members.
According to FORTASBI on Thursday (April 30, 2026), the cooperative’s strengthening efforts include a range of capacity-building programs, such as cooperative financial management training and financial literacy programs for members. The initiatives are supported by a corporate partner as part of a collaboration to promote sustainable palm oil practices.
BMJ Cooperative Chairman Ardiansyah Sinto Sirait said institutional strengthening is essential for ensuring the cooperative can create tangible value for its members.
“We want to continue strengthening this cooperative so members can directly feel the benefits. Through collaboration between farmers and companies, independent oil palm plantations can continue to progress,” he said.
He added that improving human resources quality, both among cooperative management and farmers, is a crucial factor in boosting productivity and ensuring compliance with global market standards.
As part of that commitment, the cooperative has signed a memorandum of understanding with Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia (Unioleo) to support capacity development for independent smallholders. The program includes ongoing training tailored to the changing challenges faced by the industry each year.
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“Human resource development cannot stop, because every year brings different challenges. Farmers must also continue receiving the latest industry information so they can produce FFB in line with sustainable palm oil principles,” he explained.
Currently, BMJ Cooperative assists 1,277 independent farmers who have adopted sustainable practices, consisting of 955 men and 322 women, with a combined plantation area of 2,270.79 hectares.
In implementing the training programs, the corporate partner provides professional instructors, while the cooperative prepares adequate facilities as a learning center for members.
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Beyond institutional strengthening, the cooperative is also expanding community empowerment programs. One initiative includes household vegetable gardening aimed at empowering women after the cooperative obtained RSPO certification.
Furthermore, the cooperative has established a new unit called Sepakat Mekar Bersama, whose members are mostly housewives. The group serves as a platform for sharing knowledge ranging from gardening practices to family health and nutrition issues.
These strategic steps are expected to strengthen the position of independent oil palm farmers in the global supply chain while sustainably improving members’ welfare. (P2)
