PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKATA – On June 27, 1910, in Medan, North Sumatra Province, AVROS (Algemeene Vereeniging van Rubberplanters ter Oostkust van Sumatra) was established as an organization for plantation owners and rubber traders on the East Coast of Sumatra.
Led by a chairman overseeing various units, AVROS utilized member contributions to fund activities, including the construction of a research center in Kampoeng Baroe and the acquisition of land in Polonia and Deli for plantation projects.
In 1916, AVROS founded the Algemeene Proefstation der AVROS (APA), now known as the Pusat Penelitian Kelapa Sawit (PPKS). This institution serves as a research center, migration bureau, and dactyloscopy facility. Dr. A.A.L. Rutgers, a Dutch botanical expert and politician, was appointed as the first director of APA, which has now celebrated its 108th anniversary.
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Palmoilmagazine.com reports that PPKS has become a key research institution for palm oil in Indonesia following its merger with three other plantation research centers: Pusat Penelitian Perkebunan (Puslitbun) Medan, Puslitbun Marihat, and Puslitbun Bandar Kuala.
Originally known as AVROS during the colonial era, Puslitbun Medan evolved into the Research Institute of the Sumatera Planters Association (RISPA) in 1933. AVROS was instrumental in developing the original Dura Deli palm oil seed, establishing itself as a leading palm oil seed producer in Indonesia.
Besides focusing on palm oil seeds, PPKS also involved in many tissue cultivations, process, machine, social, and economic aspects. The institution also provides services and technical trainings for planters in Indonesia.
With its long history and significant contribution in plantation industry, AVROS and PPKS would keep play their roles as the main institution to develop and deliver innovations for palm oil industries in this country. (P2)
