InfoSAWIT, MEDAN — The commitment to strengthen sustainable palm oil management is being actively promoted, particularly through the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) training held in Medan as part of the 2025 Palm Oil Human Resource Development Program (PSDM-PKS). Funded by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), this initiative is executed by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute (KEI) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture. The training targets farmers and facilitators from Batubara and Labuhanbatu Selatan—two regions with significant potential for smallholder palm oil production in North Sumatra.
The event, held at the AIHO Hotel in Medan, was officially opened by M. Zakir Syarif Daulay, Head of the North Sumatra Plantation and Livestock Office. In his speech, he emphasized that enhancing the capacity of independent palm oil farmers is key to improving welfare without compromising environmental aspects. “Smallholder palm oil must be managed professionally and sustainably to ensure that both quality and quantity can compete while preserving environmental integrity,” he stated in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
This sentiment was echoed by Susilistiawati Ritonga, Head of the Batubara Plantation and Livestock Office, who noted that such training represents a long-term investment to enhance the competitiveness of smallholder palm oil in both domestic and international markets. The training is structured into five intensive classes facilitated by a professional team from PT KEI. Henry Marpaung, Director of KEI, explained that the approach combines theory and practical fieldwork in a balanced manner.
“The training material covers ISPO principles and criteria, land legality, production management, environmental management, and certification procedures. All of this is delivered interactively to ensure participants can easily understand and apply it,” Henry elaborated.
More than just a learning session, this training serves as a growth platform for independent palm oil farmers. Participants are not only equipped with technical knowledge but also given the opportunity to share challenges faced in the field and discuss solutions collectively.
This initiative reflects a significant hope: that independent palm oil farmers will no longer be positioned as minor players in the industry chain but will rise to become independent, competitive, and environmentally conscious key players. The ISPO training is not merely a technical step but also a symbol of the transformation of the smallholder palm oil sector towards true sustainability. (T2)
