LPM Chairman Doli Kurnia: LPM Strategically Drives Village Development

The Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Community Empowerment Agency (DPP LPM RI), supported by the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), held a Dialogue on Strengthening Palm Oil-Based SMEs. This dialogue promotes development in villages. The event featured the theme ‘Strengthening Strategies to Accelerate Industrial Downstreaming as the Key to Sustainable Economic Growth through the Empowerment and Mentoring of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Based on Palm Oil’, which took place in Central Jakarta. General Chairman of DPP LPM RI, Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung, in his remarks, addressed global dynamics leading to potential crises that must be anticipated through strengthening community-based economies, particularly at the village level. “LPM has a strategic role in helping the government address various community issues. We have begun mapping various challenges from the village level, including in strengthening community-based economies,” said Ahmad Doli in his statement on Monday (20/4/2026). He added that strengthening village economies, including through cooperative development, is an important step that needs support through multi-stakeholder synergies. According to him, collaboration with BPDP opens up significant opportunities to integrate empowerment programmes that directly impact communities. Meanwhile, the Head of the Community Cooperation and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) Division of BPDP, Helmi Muhansah, affirmed BPDP’s commitment to supporting the capacity building and welfare of palm oil farmers through various strategic programmes. “BPDP continues to promote strengthening of the upstream to downstream sectors, including through palm oil plantation rejuvenation programmes, human resource development, and support for UMKM and cooperatives. This is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the ecosystem for Empowering UMKM & Cooperatives of Plantation Commodity Farmers,” explained Helmi. He also stated that BPDP is opening various opportunities for the younger generation, including scholarships in the palm oil field as well as training to enhance the competence and competitiveness of plantation-based business actors. “BPDP is now opening scholarships for young people who want to study palm oil. In addition, we also provide various training to support competence enhancement,” he said. In the public discussion session, several speakers were present, including the Deputy for Medium Enterprises of the Ministry of UMKM, Bagus Rahman, and UMKM actor, Ir. Rara Sarini. Bagus Rahman, in his presentation, emphasised the importance of UMKM transformation through innovation, research, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration. According to him, active community participation is key to creating adaptive and highly competitive UMKM. Meanwhile, Rara Sarini invited the community to actively participate in empowering the people’s economy through the development of UMKM based on local potential, including plantation commodities. Through this event, it is hoped that it can serve as a means to enhance the sustainable Empowerment of UMKM and Cooperatives of Plantation Commodity Farmers, as well as strengthen synergies between the government, business actors, and the community in building an inclusive and competitive economic ecosystem.