PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The important role of universities in building human resources (HR) in the palm oil sector. As the only polytechnic that focuses on the palm oil industry, Citra Widya Edukasi (CWE) is now a reliable palm oil HR training center, thanks to the active role of its dedicated founders.
“CWE Polytechnic was established with strong support from its founders, who wanted quality education for the children of farmers from all over the archipelago,” said the Director of CWE Palm Oil Polytechnic, Nugroho Kristono at the Sustainable Palm Oil FGD Vol 16, entitled ‘Sustainable Palm Oil Plantations Grow the Economy of Rural Communities’, held by InfoSAWIT media supported by BPDPKS (PFMA), Friday (1/11/2024) in Jakarta attended Palmoilmagazine.com.
Currently, CWE Polytechnic has 970 students, and 98% of them come from oil palm farming families from Sabang to Merauke.
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Nugroho also mentioned the increasing number of palm oil campuses and training institutions in Indonesia since 2016. He appreciated the government’s support in developing palm oil human resources through various cooperation programs, including a program involving 23 campuses implementing palm oil training programs. This is expected to strengthen the skills and expertise of the younger generation to be ready to compete in the palm oil industry.
However, Nugroho admitted that there were still challenges, especially in attracting polytechnic graduates to return to their home regions to develop the local palm oil sector. Many graduates are absorbed by large companies, but support for alumni to develop palm oil businesses with their families or cooperatives in their home areas is still minimal. “Ideally, graduates can return and develop family oil palm plantations or form cooperatives, so that the productivity of people’s oil palm increases,” he said.
In addition, he also noted the importance of mentoring for oil palm farmers to improve the productivity and efficiency of their plantations. Currently, there are around 11 training institutions that assist farmers under the Directorate General of Plantations program. However, this number is still insufficient compared to the growing needs. Nugroho hopes that more training institutions will participate, so that all oil palm farmers in Indonesia can receive adequate agronomic training.
“More structured support from the government is needed so that education and training for oil palm farmers can be optimized. If our palm oil human resources are good, productivity will increase, and ultimately have a positive impact on the welfare of farmers and the sustainability of the Indonesian palm oil industry,” he explained. (P3)
