Faculty and Researchers from UGM's Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Develop Sustainable Palm Oil Plantation Innovation with Wilmar and PPKS

PONTIANAK, WEST KALIMANTAN – A team of faculty and researchers from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB) of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has completed a field visit to Wilmar International Plantation in West Kalimantan on December 8-10, 2025. This visit is part of the Primestep initiative to follow up on research collaboration in the development of precision and sustainable agricultural technology.

The UGM team, bringing expertise in biosystems informatics, environmental engineering, and drone technology, consisted of Ir. Andri Prima Nugroho, Ph.D., Dr. Prieskarinda Lestari, Ardan Wiratmoko, STP., M.Sc., and Samuel Gatot Marseno, STP.

In collaborative research discussions with representatives from Wilmar International Plantation, Dr. Suwardi, and researchers from the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS) represented by Dr. Nuzul Hijri Dahlan and Muhdan Syarovi, STP., M.Sc., several important points were discussed:

Development of Counterfeit Fertilizer Detection System: The UGM team presented progress on the third-generation counterfeit fertilizer detection system which will soon be patented. Collaboration with PPKS was proposed for integration of spectroscopy sensors to detect mixed fertilizers and the use of non-aqueous solvents for phosphorus. The development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) was also a focus for distribution and education.
Preliminary Testing of Fruit Maturity Detection: Preliminary testing of the Felix Instrument device (Felix F750) for detecting the maturity of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) of palm oil was conducted. The UGM team and PPKS will develop realistic fruit maturity standards for field implementation.
Water Table Level (TMA) Monitoring in Peatland: UGM offered the development of an integrated dashboard for TMA monitoring that can assist decision-making in water management in peatland, supporting Wilmar's water management strategy.
Carbon Capture Research: Dr. Prieskarinda Lestari discussed the potential for carbon capture research, considering a narrative that provides added value to the company's image.

The field visit also included direct testing of the Felix F750 device for FFB quality assessment. Wilmar's Assistant General Manager, Pak Sutanto, expressed appreciation for the innovative technology introduced by UGM. Wilmar Kalbar's General Manager, Dr. Suwardi, emphasized the importance of collaboration to refine water management into best practice peatland management.

The collaboration between UGM, Wilmar, and PPKS is expected to continue generating innovative solutions that support sustainable agriculture, food security, and efficient natural resource management, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).