PALMOILMAGAZINE, BANDA ACEH – A total of 111 smallholder palm oil farmers from Aceh Tamiang and East Aceh took part in a technical training on oil palm cultivation in Banda Aceh, September 8–12, 2025. The program, held at Grand Nanggroe Hotel, was part of the 2025 Human Resource Development Program for the Palm Oil Plantation Sector, a collaboration between the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Directorate General of Plantations at the Ministry of Agriculture, and IPB Training.
The training was divided into four groups, consisting of 59 participants from Aceh Tamiang and 52 from East Aceh. The modules covered seed preparation, land management, planting techniques, crop maintenance, and pest and disease control. The aim was to strengthen farmers’ skills so they can sustain productivity in their plantations.
The opening ceremony was attended by Aceh’s Head of Agriculture and Plantation Office, Cut Huzaimah; M. Apuk Ismane from the Ministry of Agriculture’s BPPSDMP; and Mula Putra, Head of Palm Oil Empowerment and Institutional Development at the Directorate General of Plantations. The IPB Training team featured several experts, including Dr. Haryadi, Sri Hermawan, Prof. Suwardi, Sofyan Jaman, Dr. Rully Anwar, and Abdul Rosid.
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In his presentation, Dr. Haryadi stressed the importance of applying the Seven Aspects of Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation, ranging from land legality and productivity improvement to continuity of production, environmentally friendly practices, and product traceability. “This training is not only about gaining knowledge, but also an opportunity for farmers to refine their cultivation practices to be more professional and quality-oriented,” he said in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday (Sept 12, 2025).
The program’s spirit was captured in its motivational slogan: “Ready to Learn, Ready to Grow – Strong Human Resources, Bright Palm Oil.” Participants engaged in both classroom sessions and field practices, including a visit to PT Agro Sinergi Nusantara (ASN) on September 11, 2025. There, they learned about seed selection, nursery techniques, maintenance, and how to distinguish certified from uncertified seedlings.
At the producing plantations, farmers observed harvesting techniques, post-harvest handling, and methods of identifying pests and diseases. Lively discussions followed, especially when examining examples of substandard seedlings and how to address them. “This field visit is expected to equip farmers with practical knowledge to manage plantations more professionally, independently, and sustainably for the advancement of Indonesia’s palm oil sector,” said one facilitator.
The training was met with enthusiasm, with farmers actively engaging in discussions and drawing insights from hands-on experiences. The initiative is expected to help Aceh’s palm oil farmers strengthen self-reliance, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the national palm oil industry. (P2)
