Padang, August 6, 2025 – Dr. Radi, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), served as a guest speaker in the Training on Management of Oil Palm Plantation Facilities and Infrastructure held on August 4–7, 2025, at The Axana Hotel, Padang, West Sumatra.
The program was organized by the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun) and LPP Agro, aiming to strengthen human resource capacity in Indonesia’s oil palm plantation sector.
During the session, Dr. Radi delivered a presentation on “Introduction to Agricultural Tools and Machinery for Oil Palm Plantations.” His materials covered the types of agricultural tools and machinery, operational and maintenance techniques, as well as management strategies to optimize their use in supporting palm oil production. He emphasized the importance of adopting appropriate technology to enhance work efficiency, productivity, and safety in the field.
Beyond the technical aspects, Dr. Radi encouraged participants to understand current challenges in the plantation sector, including demands for modernization, production efficiency, and the implementation of sustainability principles. He noted that trainings like this are a concrete step toward strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesia’s palm oil industry while promoting more environmentally friendly plantation practices.
His participation reflects DTPB FTP UGM’s commitment to community engagement, particularly in supporting capacity building for plantation industry partners. The department continues to serve as a center of knowledge and technology relevant to industry needs and societal challenges.
The program also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By improving the knowledge and skills of plantation workers, it contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education). The application of appropriate agricultural machinery management supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), while increased productivity and efficiency contribute to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Furthermore, strengthening awareness of sustainable plantation practices supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Collectively, these efforts reflect the role of academia in advancing a competitive and sustainable national palm oil sector.
