InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Solidaridad shared practical experiences in issuing Electronic Cultivation Registration Certificates (E-STDB) during the Siak Hijau dialogue forum in Riau. This forum serves as a discussion platform for various stakeholders, including the government, plantation companies, farmer cooperatives, and civil society organizations, to strengthen the traceability system for plantation commodities.
In a session attended by farmers, plantation associations, and representatives from district offices, Solidaridad highlighted the steps for issuing E-STDB through the eSTDB application from the Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture. This process includes farmer data collection, land mapping, document input, field verification, and the issuance of STDB for independent palm oil farmers.
Junior Programme Officer of Solidaridad, Dwi Anggreini, who was a speaker in the coaching clinic session, explained that land mapping is conducted using polygon methods to obtain accurate farm coordinates. Subsequently, verified documents are uploaded to the eSTDB application by accompanying officers with access from the district/city admin. After the final verification process by the plantation office, the E-STDB will be issued electronically by the head of the office or local government.
“We hope this experience can help independent palm oil farmers understand the stages of applying for STDB so they can quickly obtain their business legality,” Dwi stated in a written statement received by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).
E-STDB is a primary requirement for farmers seeking certification under the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) scheme. This legality is also crucial in facing global traceability policies, such as the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), which will be implemented starting in 2025 for large companies and in 2026 for micro and small enterprises.
According to Yeni Fitriyanti, Country Manager of Solidaridad Indonesia, support for independent farmers is essential to enable them to meet sustainability standards and maintain access to global markets. “We prioritize inclusion and capacity building so that farmers can meet export requirements and achieve broader economic benefits,” she said.
This activity is part of the SAFE (Sustainable Agriculture Forest Ecosystems) project, which aims to facilitate technical dialogue and regional coordination related to the supply chains of palm oil, rubber, and cocoa in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Together with the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA), PISAgro, and the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP), Solidaridad plays a role in supporting compliance with EUDR regulations and promoting sustainable plantation practices. (T2)
