Registration Opens for 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Programme for 5,000 Recipients
The Indonesian Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) is set to open registration for the 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Programme as part of its ongoing commitment to developing superior and competitive human resources within the palm oil plantation sector. For this year, BPDP has increased the scholarship quota to 5,000 recipients, up from 4,000 in the previous year. The programme is supported by 42 partner educational institutions spread across various regions in Indonesia.
The Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Programme has been implemented consistently since 2016. By 2025, the programme has benefited 13,265 students from various regions across Indonesia. With the increased quota for 2026, this marks the largest implementation of the palm oil scholarship since its inception, reaffirming BPDP’s commitment to producing top-tier talent for Indonesia’s plantation sector.
The scholarship programme is a collaborative effort between BPDP, the Ministry of Agriculture, and selected educational institutions. This collaboration between the government, universities, and industry ensures the availability of professional plantation human resources prepared to face future challenges.
Mohammad Alfansyah, Director of Downstream Sector Fund Disbursement at BPDP, stated that the increase in the scholarship quota is a form of long-term investment in human development. “As long as BPDP exists, the Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Programme will continue. This year, BPDP is increasing the quota to 5,000 recipients. This increase is our commitment to providing broader opportunities for the Indonesian youth to obtain higher education and to prepare superior human resources who will drive the palm oil industry in the future,” he said during a media briefing in Jakarta.
Alfansyah added that the programme serves as evidence that the palm oil sector makes a real contribution to national development, particularly in education and capacity building for the younger generation. Meanwhile, Nugroho Kristono, Director of Politeknik CWE, emphasised that synergy between education and industry is vital for producing graduates ready for the workforce. He noted that the involvement of 42 educational institutions demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring the availability of talented individuals capable of supporting the progress and sustainability of the Indonesian palm oil industry.
Iim Mucharam, Director of Oil Palm and Miscellaneous Palms at the Ministry of Agriculture, asserted that human resource development is a fundamental pillar for the sustainability of the national palm oil industry. He noted that as the industry’s challenges become more complex, the regeneration of plantation talent must be prepared now to increase productivity, innovation, and sustainability.
The 2026 Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Programme is intended for participants pursuing Diploma (vocational) and Bachelor’s (S1) degrees at the 42 partner institutions. The programme is designed to expand access to higher education for the youth, particularly those from farming families, plantation workers, or communities linked to the palm oil sector.
Registration for the 2026 programme is scheduled to open on 3 June 2026. Prospective participants can access full information regarding requirements, schedules, selection mechanisms, and the registration process through the official BPDP website.