PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – As Indonesia’s palm oil industry continues to grow rapidly, the demand for skilled professionals has never been greater. Yet one of the most common challenges on the ground is the unpreparedness of fresh graduates to meet industry expectations. This is the gap that the book From Campus to Becoming a Successful Planter seeks to bridge, authored by seasoned practitioners Maruli Pardamean and Candra Ernando Ritonga.
The book goes far beyond palm cultivation techniques. The authors emphasize the importance of combining hard skills, soft skills, and managerial capabilities. Success in the plantation sector requires not just technical expertise, but also work ethic, integrity, communication skills, and mental as well as physical resilience.
Written in a straightforward yet approachable style, the book explores crucial aspects often overlooked in the classroom. The message is clear: to become a distinguished planter, one must not only master technical knowledge but also develop strong character, leadership, and the ability to foster good relationships with subordinates, colleagues, and superiors alike.
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One compelling testimonial comes from Ardiko Montemerano, an Independent Plantation Advisor, who praised the book as a comprehensive guide that is both inspiring and practical. He noted how the authors blend rich field experience with deep insights across technical, non-technical, and managerial dimensions.
According to Ardiko, each chapter is structured systematically and imbued with values essential to success in the plantation industry: leadership, discipline, and integrity. Real-life stories and practical examples make the lessons easy to grasp and apply.
This book is highly recommended as essential reading, particularly for students in agriculture, plantation management, and forestry, as well as fresh graduates aspiring to build a career as planters. Young professionals looking to grow their careers can also draw valuable lessons from its pages. (P2)
