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Independent smallholder group from Indonesia awarded RSPO certification in Thailand
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A
n independent smallholder group from Indonesia has been recognized by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), becoming a Newly Certified Independent Smallholder Group for 2023/2024.
Novie Zulhi, an independent smallholder and head of the Perkumpulan Kotani Mandiri Bersama (PKMB) cooperative in Merlung Village, Jambi, was presented the RSPO certification by RSPO CEO Joseph D’Cruz during the Annual RSPO Conference (RT2024) in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov, 2024.
Since attaining the certification in 2023, the PKMB cooperative has grown from 211 members who collectively manage 330 hectares (ha) of land to 471 smallholders and more than 750 ha of land. The remaining members’ certification will also be processed for RSPO certification by December.
Novie, who joined the family business in 2004, said receiving the RSPO certification at a prestigious event attended by industry leaders across the globe was incredibly meaningful for himself and the PKMB cooperative.
“This certification not only brings international recognition to our sustainability efforts, but also adds value to our oil palm products. It motivates us to keep investing in responsible farming, so we can create more and lasting value for our members and our children,” said Novie, who joined the SMallholder Inclusion for better Livelihood & Empowerment (SMILE) program in 2022.
A collaborative initiative between Asian Agri, Apical and Kao, SMILE aims to enhance the welfare and economic stability of smallholders by addressing challenges that directly impact productivity. The program focuses on strengthening Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and promoting sustainable, climate-resilient farming techniques.
Since its inception in 2020, SMILE has engaged 3,489 independent smallholders, and aims to empower 5,000 smallholders by 2030 through improved yields, increased incomes and RSPO certification. To date, 1,373 smallholders have achieved RSPO certification through the program’s support.
In addition to recognizing their sustainable practices, RSPO certification enables independent smallholders to obtain additional benefits from Kao as part of the company’s commitment to increase independent smallholders’ livelihood. The benefits have significantly supported PKMB members in fulfilling their needs, such as purchasing fertilizer and pesticide.
Asian Agri Head of Sustainability Ivan Novrizaldie highlighted the company’s commitment to continually improve the independent smallholders’ livelihood, with the aim of building a sustainable and equitable palm oil industry that benefits all stakeholders.
“The success of Novie and his cooperative is a testament to the power of collaboration, their determination to complete the audit process and their commitment to sustainable farming practices. We are proud of our partner smallholders who have earned their RSPO certification,” he said.
Apical Head of Sustainability Chandramohan Nair emphasized sustainability as a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. He noted that the SMILE program drives positive impact through collaboration across the supply chain – upstream, midstream and downstream – with a strong focus on inclusivity to ensure independent smallholders are not left behind as the industry transitions towards sustainable practices.
“We launched the SMILE program to address the socio-economic challenges impacting smallholders by providing training and workshops to enhance technical skills. We are pleased that our support has helped independent smallholders to meet the stringent certification requirements of RSPO, and will enable them to access global markets and earn premiums,” said Nair.
Terasawa Kenji, Vice President of Procurement Strategic Sourcing, Raw Material, Global at Kao Corporation, commended the achievement of the independent smallholders.
“Independent smallholders are in particular vulnerable to market challenges. Having seen the progress made thus far, we are looking to expand the programme to empower more independent smallholders to have a share in the global supply chain, thereby strengthening their livelihood resilience for the long term,” he said.
Source : Asian Agri
