PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Instructors of the training program “A New Paradigm in Fertilizer Management through Root & Canopy Management”, organized by ETCAS Consultant and the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Padjadjaran (Faperta Unpad) with support from Media Energy World and beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com, held a technical session on Friday (Aug 15, 2025). The goal: to ensure participants can master and apply the latest techniques to increase palm oil productivity from 3 tons to 7–8 tons per hectare annually.
The training responds to a challenge set by Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono, who aim to raise national palm oil output to 119 million tons and 100 million tons per year respectively. Experts consider the targets achievable, given the industry’s production potential of 10–12 tons per hectare—or 170–200 million tons annually—without opening new land.
“The era of higher productivity must begin now. There are major opportunities from the B100 program and growing access to global markets,” said the organizers during the session.
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Faperta Unpad expressed readiness to collaborate with both large estates and smallholders to pursue these ambitious goals. Cutting-edge methods such as the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Production Force Management based on root and canopy optimization are key tools. “This is our real contribution to the nation,” a Unpad representative emphasized.
The program will expand further in 2026, covering mapping, drone applications for agriculture, and flood and waterlogging management—persistent challenges in many oil palm plantations.
Preparation of training materials is scheduled to be completed by the first week of August. Renowned experts including Prof. Cucu Suherman and Dr. Mira Ariyanti (palm physiology specialists), Prof. Rija Sudirman (soil fertility expert), and Dr. Memet Hakim (plantation practitioner) will lead the sessions to ensure meaningful impact on the ground. (P2)
