InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Nugroho Kristono, Director of Citra Widya Edukasi (CWE) Palm Oil Polytechnic, emphasized the crucial role of higher education institutions in building skilled human resources for Indonesia’s palm oil industry. CWE, the nation’s sole polytechnic dedicated to palm oil education, has established itself as a reliable center for palm oil training thanks to the active involvement of its dedicated founders.
"CWE Polytechnic was founded with strong support from our founders, who envisioned high-quality education for the children of farmers from across Indonesia," Kristono remarked. Today, CWE boasts 970 students, with 98% coming from palm oil farming families from all corners of the archipelago, from Sabang to Merauke.
Kristono also acknowledged the growth in palm oil-focused institutions and training programs across Indonesia since 2016. He appreciated the government’s support for human resource development in the sector, particularly through collaborative programs that involve 23 campuses running palm oil training programs. This initiative aims to equip the next generation with the necessary skills to excel in the palm oil industry.
However, Kristono pointed out some challenges, particularly the difficulty in encouraging polytechnic graduates to return to their hometowns and contribute to local palm oil development. While many graduates are recruited by large corporations, there is limited support for alumni to establish family-run or cooperative palm oil ventures in their regions. "Ideally, graduates could return to enhance family plantations or establish cooperatives, boosting smallholder productivity," he explained, during the 16th Sustainable Palm Oil Focus Group Discussion, entitled "Sustainable Oil Palm Plantations Grow the Economy of Rural Communities", held by InfoSAWIT in collaboration with BPDPKS on November 1, 2024. He added that high initial investment costs for palm oil plantations can burden farmers, especially if their seedlings are unproductive.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need for ongoing support for smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and efficiency. Currently, about 11 training institutions assist farmers through programs led by the Directorate General of Plantations, but this number is insufficient given the growing demand. Kristono expressed hope that more training centers will participate to ensure all Indonesian palm oil farmers receive adequate agronomic training.
“Structured support from the government is essential for optimizing education and training for palm oil farmers. Improved human resources will lead to increased productivity, positively impacting farmer welfare and contributing to the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil industry,” he concluded.
With CWE Polytechnic at the forefront, Indonesia is poised to strengthen its workforce in the palm oil sector, aiming for long-term industry sustainability and greater prosperity for farming communities. (T2)
