InfoSAWIT, BANGKOK – The Tunas Merapi Manunggal Cooperative has achieved a significant milestone by securing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. The certification was officially handed over by RSPO CEO to the cooperative’s chairman, Wardoyo, during a ceremony in Bangkok on November 10, 2024.
Wardoyo explained that the cooperative, located in Sikebau Jaya Village, Rokan Empat Koto District, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau, oversees 150 farmers managing a total certified area of 234 hectares. He emphasized that the RSPO certification marks a critical step in promoting sustainable oil palm cultivation practices among farmers.
"We have guided farmers through extensive training on sustainable palm oil cultivation aligned with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and environmental management principles," said Wardoyo in a statement to InfoSAWIT on Saturday (30/11/2024).
The certification process took approximately one and a half years, with substantial support from the Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS). SPKS played a vital role in educating farmers on the importance of certification through regular workshops and small group meetings.
Achieving RSPO certification required fulfilling numerous criteria, including creating member farm maps, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for plantations, conducting training sessions, and undergoing certification audits. These efforts were technically supported by SPKS.
Wardoyo expressed hope that the certification would open opportunities for direct collaboration with companies and buyers who value sustainable palm oil products. "Currently, our members sell their palm oil to intermediaries at low prices. We also need infrastructure support from the government to strengthen farmers’ positions," he added.
Looking ahead, the cooperative plans to pursue certification under the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) system. The local government of Labura Regency has already initiated assistance in this process. "We hope for financial support from the government, especially through BPDPKS, as ISPO certification has become mandatory for farmers," Wardoyo concluded.
SPKS Chairman, Sabarudin, highlighted that 12 cooperatives under SPKS guidance have successfully implemented RSPO and ISPO certifications, encompassing 2,800 farmers managing 4,500 hectares of land.
"This demonstrates that smallholder farmers can produce sustainable palm oil that meets global market demands," Sabarudin stated. He called on major corporations and the government to increase their support for smallholder farmers who often face financial barriers to meeting sustainability standards.
SPKS remains committed to advancing ISPO certification across all its cooperatives as part of efforts to enhance productivity and improve governance within Indonesia's palm oil sector. "ISPO is the cornerstone of a sustainable future for the palm oil industry," Sabarudin concluded. (T1)
