InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable palm oil cultivation in Indonesia through various innovative programs. One of the initiatives launched is the Realising Indonesian Smallholder Empowerment (RISE) program, aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and increasing farmers' incomes.
In its efforts to boost productivity while preserving environmental sustainability, the company focuses on replanting palm oil plantations, protecting concession areas, and supporting independent palm oil farmers outside their concessions.
According to Stephan Sinisuka, Head of Corporate Communications at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, Indonesia has a total national palm oil plantation area of 16.8 million hectares. Of this area, more than 37% or approximately 6.3 million hectares is managed by farmers, including both plasma and independent farmers.
As a form of support for palm oil farmers, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food has launched the RISE initiative, which aims to improve agricultural practices and the income of palm oil farmers. This program is also part of the transformation towards a sustainable palm oil supply chain.
One of the flagship programs within this initiative is the Skilled Palm Oil Program, which provides intensive training to farmer groups. This training includes improving cultivation methods, individual guidance, and preparing farmers to meet the sustainability standards of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO).
Additionally, the company encourages quality training for farmers and their families as part of its efforts to support better productivity. In the smallholder palm oil rejuvenation program, support in the form of guidance on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is also provided to help improve the overall welfare of farmers.
To date, the Skilled Palm Oil Program has reached over 9,000 palm oil farmers across various regions in Indonesia. The target is to reach 10,000 independent palm oil farmers by 2025, and subsequently, 50,000 farmers by 2030.
These farmers are part of the company's supply chain in several districts in Aceh and Langkat, North Sumatra.
According to Helena Delima Lumban Gaol, Head of the Smallholders Innovation Department at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, this program not only helps farmers implement best practices but also adds value by supporting the sustainability of their land.
"We estimate that by 2030, the company can support up to 50,000 independent farmers supplying fresh fruit bunches to Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food to implement sustainable palm oil practices. By 2035, we plan to train up to 100,000 farmers," she stated during the launch of the RISE Initiative and the celebration of RSPO certification, attended by InfoSAWIT, in Jakarta on Wednesday (December 4, 2024).
The Skilled Palm Oil Program has been well received by farmers in the company's supply chain. The RSPO certification obtained through this program allows farmers to demonstrate their compliance with international standards to global buyers, while also opening up opportunities for incentives. However, Helena emphasizes that the main benefit of this program is not merely the incentives but the sustainable benefits for the farmers' land itself.
"Sustainable practices mean that farmers maintain the productivity of their plantations continuously. This involves caring for the land to keep it fertile and yield optimal results. Well-managed land determines the sustainability of agricultural outputs and their welfare," she added.
Meanwhile, Hero Sanjaya, Head of Supplier Compliance at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, stated that in its efforts to strengthen the sustainability of the palm oil supply chain, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food continues to roll out various training and mentoring programs for independent farmers and other suppliers. This support encompasses various aspects, from training in sustainable practices to operational guidance.
"We provide mentoring programs free of charge, including direct field visits to help suppliers understand and implement best practices. The goal is to ensure they are ready to meet the established sustainability standards," said Hero. (T2)
For more details, read the January 2025 edition of InfoSAWIT Magazine.
