JAKARTA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will provide 5,000 scholarships this year to help develop skilled human resources for its palm oil industry, officials said on Tuesday.
The scholarships, funded by the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), represent the largest annual allocation since the program was launched in 2016, up from 4,000 scholarships last year.
"As long as the BPDP exists, the palm oil scholarship program will continue," BPDP official Mohammad Alfansyah said at a media briefing in Jakarta.
According to officials, the initiative has supported more than 13,000 students nationwide through cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and dozens of educational institutions.
Agriculture Ministry official Iim Mucharam said the program aims to prepare a new generation of plantation professionals capable of enhancing productivity, innovation and sustainability in the sector.
Palm oil remains one of Indonesia's leading export commodities and a major contributor to the national economy.
Scholarship registration will open on June 3 through BPDP's official website. ■
