PALMOILMAGAZINE, KETAPANG — PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA) has intensified efforts to improve the productivity and resilience of independent oil palm farmers by conducting sustainable cultivation training programs in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.
The training, held in mid-May 2026 in Seriam Village, Kendawangan District, involved 40 independent smallholders and formed part of the company’s broader community empowerment initiatives. The program focused on enhancing farmers’ technical knowledge and encouraging more effective cultivation practices to support long-term productivity gains.
Participants received practical instruction on various aspects of oil palm management, including crop maintenance, pest and disease control strategies, and appropriate fertilizer application based on plant requirements. The sessions were delivered by the company’s agronomy team, which has extensive experience managing large-scale plantation operations.
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Beyond classroom sessions, the program also included field demonstrations in local farmers’ plantations, allowing participants to directly apply the techniques and knowledge they had learned. This hands-on approach was designed to accelerate knowledge transfer and improve farmers’ understanding of good agricultural practices.
Mega Andrianu, head of Badak Berendam Hamlet in Seriam Village, said the training provided valuable benefits for farmers who have traditionally relied on personal experience to manage their plantations.
According to him, participants gained new insights, particularly regarding more systematic plantation management and agronomic practices that can help improve yields while maintaining the long-term health of oil palm trees.
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BGA Estate Manager Daru explained that the training program reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of farmers living near its operational areas. He emphasized that independent smallholders play a strategic role in supporting the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil industry and therefore require better access to cultivation knowledge and modern farming techniques.
Through technical assistance and skills transfer, the company expects farmers to manage their plantations more efficiently, increase productivity, and generate greater economic returns from their farming activities.
The initiative also forms part of BGA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, which focuses on community empowerment and local economic development. The company plans to expand similar training programs to other villages surrounding its operational areas in the future.
By continuously strengthening farmer capacity, BGA hopes independent smallholders will become increasingly self-reliant, adopt good agricultural practices, and contribute to the development of a more productive and sustainable palm oil sector in Ketapang and the surrounding region. (P2)
