REVIEW ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 38 (1) March 2026, p. 35-52

PRECISION AGRICULTURE IMPLEMENTATION TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF OIL PALM PLANTATIONS IN INDONESIA: A REVIEW

HASBI MUBARAK SUUD1*; ANGGA DEFRIAN2; AGUNG NUGROHO PUSPITO3 and AGUS SUSANTO GINTING4

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2025.0013
Received: 11 February 2024   Accepted: 26 November 2024   Published Online: 5 March 2025
ABSTRACT

Oil palm plantations have emerged as a strategic catalyst for Indonesian economic growth, with planted areas expanding by 71% from 2010 to 2020. The expansion of cultivated regions contributes significantly to state revenue and attracts domestic and international criticism. Two major issues are associated with oil palm plantations in Indonesia: (1) The adverse consequences of land conversion and (2) the limited productivity of these plantations. The conversion of land, mainly deforestation and peatland transformation, is widely believed to be responsible for biodiversity depletion and a substantial surge in greenhouse gas emissions. However, many oil palm plantations in Indonesia suffer from poor productivity, making such sustainability ventures questionable. Over the years, the application of Precision Agriculture (PA) techniques has demonstrated their effectiveness in minimising agricultural inputs, optimising yields and mitigating environmental impacts. This article explores how PA practices can elevate oil palm plantation productivity and ensure sustainability through dependable field monitoring systems, adept database management, transparency and traceability, site-specific agriculture and a robust decision support system. The article will also delve into the challenges faced by smallholder farmers who require support to adopt PA due to high initial investment, socio-cultural resistance and limited capacity for embracing new technology.

KEYWORDS:


1 Study Program of Agricultural Science,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember,
Jember, Indonesia.

2 Department of Agricultural Mechanization Technology,
State Agricultural Polytechnic of Payakumbuh,
West Sumatra, Indonesia.

3 Study Program of Magister Biotechnology,
University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia.

4 Department of Agrotechnology,
University of Quality Berastagi,
North Sumatra, Indonesia.

* Corresponding author e-mail: hasbimubarak@unej.ac.id