BPDP and Mutu Institute Boost Human Resources for Oil Palm Smallholders in Aceh Tamiang
A total of 120 independent oil palm smallholders in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province, have received specialised training through the Plantation Human Resources Development Programme, funded by the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with Mutu Institute as the event organiser. The training took place from Monday, 22 June to Saturday, 27 June 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening the capacity of independent smallholders to implement better, more productive, and sustainable cultivation practices.
The training was opened by Ahmad Zaini, Head of the UPTD for Horticulture, Food Crops and Plantation Seed Centre. In his remarks, he stated that oil palm plantations play a vital role in driving economic progress for communities in the Aceh region, including Aceh Tamiang Regency. "Through this training, we hope independent oil palm smallholders will become more capable of managing their plantations properly, so that productivity increases and the economic benefits for the community grow larger," said Ahmad Zaini. He added that the development of the oil palm plantation sector in Aceh must be balanced with increased knowledge among smallholders, particularly in aspects of cultivation, use of superior seeds, plant maintenance, and plantation management in line with sustainability principles.
Wahyu Riyadi, Director of PT Forestcitra Sejahtera (Mutu Institute), stated in his speech that the training was designed to provide smallholders with practical understanding of good oil palm cultivation techniques, ranging from seed selection, nursery, plant maintenance, fertilisation, pest and disease control, to the implementation of sustainable plantation practices. In his report, Wahyu Riyadi also emphasised that global demand for palm oil remains very high because the commodity is used in various sectors, from food and energy to downstream industries. This situation presents an opportunity for Indonesian smallholders to continuously improve cultivation quality in order to produce healthy, productive plants derived from superior seeds.
The implementation of this training serves as tangible evidence of BPDP’s concern for enhancing the capacity of Indonesian oil palm farmers. BPDP’s support not only strengthens the development of the national palm oil industry but also directly addresses the needs of smallholders at the field level. By funding training activities such as this, BPDP demonstrates its commitment to encouraging independent oil palm smallholders to become more competitive, understand good plantation practices, and be able to face future sustainability challenges.
Over the six days of implementation, participants engaged in a series of learning sessions focused on strengthening technical skills in oil palm cultivation. The materials provided are expected to be directly applied in their respective plantations, ensuring the training does not end as a ceremonial activity but genuinely impacts the improvement of productivity and quality of smallholder plantations. High-quality palm oil must begin with good and proper cultivation processes. With superior seeds, correct care, and sustainable plantation management, smallholders can produce palm oil that is more productive, valuable, and beneficial to the wider community.