Involving Universities, BPDP Becomes the Engine for Developing National Palm Oil Human Resources

The development of human resources (HR) is a key factor in driving the sustainable growth of the national palm oil industry. Chairman of the Indonesian Smallholder Palm Oil Farmers Association (Apkasindo), Gulat ME Manurung, stated that the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) has a strategic role in improving the quality of HR in the national palm oil sector. According to him, various BPDP programmes, including palm oil scholarships and training for farmers, have made positive contributions to the advancement of the palm oil industry. “I see that one of the key words for the success of Indonesian palm oil to date is BPDP’s support, especially in the HR sector,” said Gulat Manurung in his statement today. Gulat Manurung said that BPDP’s programmes focused on HR development are becoming more directed and on target. The implementation of these programmes is realised through technical training and education, as well as support for research and the provision of scholarships in the palm oil field. He encouraged BPDP to continue evaluating and refining programmes to increase effectiveness and real impact on the industry. The evaluation and improvement steps carried out so far have strengthened BPDP’s position as the main engine in developing national palm oil HR. Regarding the palm oil farmer training programme, he hopes it can be even more targeted. This technical training programme for palm oil farmers is important to improve skills, knowledge, and professionalism, thereby realising a national palm oil industry that is increasingly productive and sustainable. “I see that the evaluation and improvement that has been quite significant has made BPDP the engine of Indonesian palm oil HR. Palm oil HR must be at the forefront, at least on par with the development of plantation palm oil technology dynamics. Therefore, universities that become partners in palm oil HR must be of quality,” he said. Based on BPDP data, as many as 29,263 training participants and 13,265 education or scholarship programme participants have joined the palm oil HR development programme until 2025. Of the total scholarship recipients, 3,910 students have graduated from various universities collaborating with BPDP. The palm oil HR development programme involves 42 universities with a total of 900 training classes held in various palm oil plantation centres. The programme covers 21 provinces in Indonesia that are the main palm oil plantation areas. “This is extraordinary. I think this is also our way to adjust to the needs of palm oil stakeholders related to HR. So, with 13,265 people, I think this is already on target for the use of palm oil funds,” he concluded.