PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Plantation Fund Management Agency (PFMA or BPDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s palm oil industry by enhancing human resource (HR) capacity. This was marked by the signing of the 2025 Palm Oil HR Development Training Program agreement in Jakarta, attended by stakeholders including training institutions and regional government representatives.
PFMA President Director Eddy Abdurrachman emphasized that the palm oil subsector remains a major pillar of the national economy. He cited Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data showing that in 2023, plantation subsectors contributed over 30% to the agricultural GDP. Palm oil alone accounted for more than 75% of total plantation commodity exports.
Despite this, Eddy acknowledged the sector still faces significant challenges, such as suboptimal land productivity, slow replanting progress, and external regulatory pressures like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and trade partner policies. “The key to overcoming these challenges lies in improving human resource quality,” he stated, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (May 21, 2025).
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The 2025 training program will involve 10,786 participants across 17 provinces and 40 districts. PFMA has partnered with 18 training institutions selected through a competitive process. The collaboration is valued at IDR 160.6 billion and includes training in technical cultivation, managerial skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
Darmansyah, Chair of the Palm Oil HR Development Committee, highlighted that the program’s success relies heavily on the readiness of the training institutions. He underscored the importance of quality facilities, competent trainers, and strong coordination with local plantation offices and field facilitators.
“We want real impact, not just a ceremonial program. That’s why instructor quality and communication are critical,” he stressed.
Following the signing, the event continued with a technical briefing led by PFMA Service Program Division Head, Arfie Thahar. He explained the training mechanisms, including fund disbursement procedures, budget components, and reporting requirements.
PFMA Director of Fund Distribution, Alfansyah, concluded the event by underlining the importance of training quality.
“We’re not just chasing participant numbers. We aim to build a skilled, competitive palm oil workforce,” he said.
Since its inception in 2016, BPDPKS’s palm oil HR training program has reached 18,477 participants. The agency is committed to expanding both the reach and impact of this initiative to benefit even more smallholders nationwide. (P2)
