InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The smallholders in Village of Nehas Liah Bing agreed to be the agents of chance in palm oil plantation governance which is socially and environmentally worthy by protecting indigenous and village forests.
In Village of Nehas Liah Bing, there are two kinds of protected forests that were decided in the village spatial – Protected Indigenous Forest Wahea that laid on 42.760 hectares and managed by Lembaga Adat Desa Nehas Liah Bing; and Village Forests that laid on 3.124 hectares that BumDes Nehas Liah Bing managed.
Dusun of Long Bau, Village of Nehas Liah Bing, Sub district of Muara Wahau, Regency of Kutai Timur would be the witness of price that Koperasi Serba Usaha (KSU) Sawit Usaha Tani Sejahtera had done. The union that consists of many independent smallholders becomes the agent of positive change to realize sustainable palm oil plantation governance.
Established in 2000 and legally got permit on 2 February 2000, KSU Sawit Usaha Tani Sejahtera has had long journey. By joining Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the union confirmed its commitment to realize sustainable agricultural practices, socially delivered impacts for others and environment significantly.
As quoted from the official page of Forum Petani Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan Indonesia (Fortasbi), RSPO certificate that the union achieved in 2022 took many advantages for the union itself and local people. By having cooperation with PT DSN Group, the union cultivates about 487 hectares and involved 157 members. The results were the smallholders got better in economy, the local communities got empowerment, public facilities were improved, and many realized to get sustainable practices.
One socially striking impact was the increasing service health quality by renovating health center in Dusun of Long Bau, Village of Nehas Liah Bing. The health cae that delivers immunization, health check for pregnant women, old men, and other people, becomes the foundation for the smallholders’ children and the local.
Not only that, KSU Sawit Tani Sejahtera also protects work accident risks for its members. By having RSPO credit fund, the union registered its members to Labor Insurance, delivered social guarantee in accident, disability, death, and pension plan.
Besides delivering welfare for its members, RSPO credit fund was also used to reinforce the environment sustainability, such as, making garbage spots in every gathering location in the smallholders’ plantations.(T2)
For more, please read Majalah InfoSAWIT, April 2022
