FORTASBI and the Effort to Guide Smallholders Toward Low-Emission Palm Oil Production

smallholders — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:26:41 +0000

Newsletter; Maret 2026

THE GREEN COLUMN

FORTASBI and the Effort to Guide Smallholders Toward Low-Emission Palm Oil Production

Regenerative agriculture is opening a pathway for smallholders to contribute to the production of fresh fruit bunches with lower emissions.

Morning in Air Upas, a subdistrict in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, usually begins with familiar conversations: the weather, fertilizer supplies, or the latest price of fresh fruit bunches. But on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the atmosphere felt different. Inside a modest meeting room, around 120 smallholders sat in small groups, their faces serious and attentive. Some scribbled notes in their notebooks, while others listened carefully as a facilitator began introducing a topic that is increasingly appearing in discussions about the future of plantations: Carbon.

The training was organized by the Secretariat of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Farmers Forum, widely known as FORTASBI, as part of an effort to strengthen the capacity of smallholders so they are better prepared for the major changes unfolding in the global plantation sector. The sessions were held in two locations: the PPSK office in Air Upas and the PPMH office in Manis Mata, both in Ketapang Regency.

Since last year, FORTASBI has been actively introducing farming approaches that are more environmentally friendly and lower in carbon emissions. The initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage smallholders to begin adopting practices that support the production of fresh fruit bunches with lower emissions.

In 2026, the training program was carried out in two areas of West Kalimantan: Air Upas and Manis Mata. Around 120 smallholder farmers participated in the sessions. The participants were divided into two groups, facilitated by local farmer organizations, known as the PPSK class and the PPMH class.

The program continues an initiative first launched the previous year. For FORTASBI, strengthening human capacity among farmers is a critical step to ensure that smallholders are not left behind in the global conversation on sustainability. For many farmers living in rural areas, discussions about climate change have often felt distant from the realities of daily life in their villages.

During the training, farmers were introduced to several key topics related to more sustainable plantation management. The materials covered the relationship between oil palm plantations and climate change, as well as the concept of regenerative agriculture as a model for low-emission farming. For some farmers, the term regenerative agriculture may still sound unfamiliar. Yet many of the practices it promotes are not entirely new. In fact, several have long existed in traditional forms of plantation management.

Regenerative agriculture emphasizes maintaining ecological balance and protecting biodiversity within plantation landscapes. In practice, this approach can take many forms. Farmers may use organic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility, plant certain species that naturally control pests, or rely on barn owls to help manage rat populations in the plantations.

Another common practice involves stacking pruned palm fronds around the base of the trees. As the fronds decompose, they return organic nutrients to the soil. Some farmers also enrich their plantation areas by introducing additional plant species, helping support biodiversity within the plantation ecosystem.

This approach reframes oil palm plantations not simply as production sites, but as ecological spaces where balance and sustainability must be carefully maintained. For FORTASBI, regenerative agriculture represents an important model of low-carbon farming that smallholders should begin to adopt. By implementing such practices, farmers can contribute to efforts to produce palm oil with lower emissions.

In several regions across Indonesia, a number of farmer cooperatives and associations have already begun experimenting with these approaches in managing their plantations. In North Sumatra, for instance, KPUD Lestari and Koperasi Gaharu 100 have started developing plantation practices focused on sustaining healthy ecosystems. In Jambi, similar approaches are being implemented by the Asosiasi Petani Berkah Mandah Lestari and FPS MRM. Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan, KUD Tani Subur is among the farmer groups that have begun applying the same model. These experiences show that environmentally responsible farming practices can begin at the farmer level.

The training organized by FORTASBI in Air Upas and Manis Mata is part of a broader effort to expand this understanding among more smallholder farmers. By gaining a clearer picture of the relationship between plantation management and carbon emissions, farmers are encouraged to view their plantations from a broader perspective. An oil palm plantation is not only a place where fresh fruit bunches are harvested.

It is also part of a larger living environment that requires thoughtful and responsible management. Through initiatives like this, FORTASBI hopes that more smallholder farmers will begin adopting regenerative agricultural practices in managing their plantations. Small steps taken at the farmer level, after all, can become an important part of the broader effort to move toward palm oil production that is more environmentally responsible and lower in emissions.

Across smallholder plantations in many parts of Indonesia, this shift in perspective is slowly beginning to take root. From the way farmers care for their soil to the way they maintain ecological balance within their plantations, many are starting to see that the future of palm oil production will not be defined by harvest yields alone, but also by how the land itself is managed and sustained for the long term.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel FORTASBI and the Effort to Guide Smallholders Toward Low-Emission Palm Oil Production pertama kali tampil pada .

Newsletter Maret 2026 – When Smallholders Help Smallholders: A Quiet Path Toward Sustainable Palm Oil in Jambi

smallholders — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:24:19 +0000

Newsletter; Maret 2026

THE GREEN COLUMN

When Smallholders Help Smallholders: A Quiet Path Toward Sustainable Palm Oil in Jambi

Morning had just broken over the palm oil plantations of Tebo Regency in Jambi Province. Dew still clung to the long fronds of oil palm leaves as smallholders began walking into their fields, continuing routines that had shaped their lives for decades.

For many smallholders, an oil palm plantation is more than a source of income. It is a family asset, a place where the future of their children is quietly invested. Yet behind the daily routines of harvesting and maintaining the trees lies a challenge that has shadowed smallholders for years: sustainability certification.

For many smallholders, sustainable palm oil certification once felt like an impossibly high wall. The challenge was not only the strict standards that had to be met, but also the costs involved. Smallholders needed to improve farm management, strengthen their group organizations, implement better environmental practices, and build proper administrative systems. All of this required time, knowledge, and financial resources that many smallholder groups simply did not have.

But a different story has emerged from a smallholder organization known as the Perkumpulan Petani Sawit Bangun Seranten (PPSBS) in Tebo. With 212 members managing about 401 hectares of plantations, the group decided to take a step that many smallholder organizations hesitate to pursue: obtaining certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The decision was not made without doubts.

Some smallholders worried about the financial burden. Others questioned whether certification would truly bring tangible benefits. But for the group’s chairman, Ikhwanuddin, the answer was straightforward.
Change, he believed, had to begin with the courage to take the first step.

The greatest obstacle facing PPSBS was funding. Most smallholder groups seeking certification receive support from companies or non-governmental organizations. PPSBS, however, had no such backing. Just when the path forward seemed uncertain, help arrived from an unexpected source. Other smallholders.

Two smallholder organizations in Jambi that had already obtained RSPO certification, the Asosiasi Petani Berkah Mandah Lestari (APBML) in Tanjung Jabung Barat and the Koperasi Produsen Tanjung Sehati Lestari (KPTSL) in Merangin, decided to support PPSBS. They provided a loan to finance the certification process, including preparation for the audit and the external assessment itself.

The funds did not come from donors or large corporations. Instead, they came from RSPO credit incentives that these smallholder organizations had previously received from international buyers. In other words, the benefits of sustainability were reinvested to help other smallholders follow the same path. For the smallholders involved, the idea was simple: if certification had strengthened their own organizations and improved their smallholder practices, it should also be made accessible to others.

The loan provided new momentum for PPSBS. Members began reorganizing their internal systems: improving farm records, ensuring environmentally responsible practices, and strengthening the governance of their smallholder organization.

The process was neither quick nor easy. But the effort eventually paid off. In November 2025, PPSBS officially obtained RSPO certification, marking a major milestone in the group’s journey toward sustainable palm oil production. For its members, the certificate represented far more than a document. It was proof that smallholders could meet global sustainability standards.

Yet the story did not end there. Less than three months after receiving certification, PPSBS received encouraging news: its RSPO credits had been purchased by a global company, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., in a transaction valued at USD 28,949. The purchase reflected a growing commitment from global markets to support smallholders who adopt sustainable practices. For PPSBS, the impact was immediate and meaningful. The funds allowed the organization to repay the loans that had been provided by fellow smallholder groups who had helped them from the beginning.

For Ikhwanuddin and his fellow smallholders, the moment carried deep significance. The support they had received from other smallholders had made their journey possible, and now they were able to return that trust. The story of PPSBS reveals something that is often overlooked in global discussions about sustainable palm oil. Change does not always come from major policy decisions or investments by multinational corporations. Sometimes it grows quietly from solidarity among smallholders.

In Jambi, the incentives created by RSPO credits have done more than strengthen the economy of certified smallholder groups. They have also triggered a ripple effect, encouraging other organizations to pursue the same path.

For Fortasbi Indonesia, the experience shows that when markets reward sustainable practices, smallholders do not simply improve their own plantations. They help other smallholders do the same. Amid ongoing global debates about the future of palm oil, the story of PPSBS offers a powerful message. Sustainability is not merely a standard to be achieved. It is a collective movement.
And across the oil palm landscapes of Jambi, that movement begins with something very simple: smallholders choosing to help one another.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel Newsletter Maret 2026 – When Smallholders Help Smallholders: A Quiet Path Toward Sustainable Palm Oil in Jambi pertama kali tampil pada .

Ramadan Blessings from Smallholder Newsletter Maret 2026

smallholders — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:22:15 +0000

Newsletter; Maret 2026

THE GREEN COLUMN

Ramadan Blessings from Smallholder

When smallholders share the blessings of Ramadan and prove that sustainability is also about social solidarity.

As sunset approaches in a small village in Kotawaringin Timur, Central Kalimantan, the yard of a modest house slowly turns into a gathering place. Several villagers sit on plastic chairs arranged in neat rows. On a wooden table covered with a white cloth, dozens of Eid gift packages are carefully stacked. One by one, a cooperative officer calls the names of residents who have come to collect them. Each person steps forward quietly, receives a package, and leaves with a smile and a soft word of thanks. Inside the parcels are simple necessities: rice, eggs, instant noodles, cookies, beverages, and prayer supplies.

For some people, the contents might appear modest. But for smallholder families in the village, these packages represent a long-standing tradition of sharing that many look forward to every year during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

What makes this story remarkable is where the packages come from. They are not part of a charity program run by a large corporation or a government agency. Instead, they are provided by the smallholder themselves.

Across several palm-growing villages in Indonesia, smallholder groups that have begun implementing sustainable smallholder practices are developing an initiative known as Smallholder Social Responsibility, or SSR. Through this program, smallholder organizations set aside a portion of their income to support their members and the communities surrounding their plantations.

Ramadan has become one of the moments when this commitment becomes most visible. During this time, the benefits of sustainable palm oil production are not limited to improved farm productivity or market access. They also return to village communities in the form of social solidarity.

Amid global debates over the future of the palm oil industry, stories like this are rarely highlighted. Yet at the village level, sustainability often takes shape in far simpler ways than the policy discussions taking place in international forums. Sometimes it appears in the form of a basic food package shared with neighbors.

One example comes from KUD Tri Daya, a smallholder palm oil cooperative operating in Kotawaringin Timur, Central Kalimantan. In the region, the cooperative holds a unique position. It is currently the only smallholder organization in the area that has obtained both Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certifications.

These certifications are not merely about adopting more responsible agricultural practices. They also open opportunities for smallholders to connect with global markets that value sustainably produced palm oil. During Ramadan 2026, KUD Tri Daya allocated around 420 million rupiah to fund its SSR program. The cooperative distributed 450 Eid gift packages to members and nearby residents living around the plantations.

For the cooperative’s leadership, the initiative goes beyond seasonal charity. It is a way for the smallholder organization to demonstrate that sustainable palm oil practices can bring tangible benefits to rural communities

A similar story unfolds elsewhere in Central Kalimantan. In Kotawaringin Barat, the smallholder organization Asosiasi Petani Kelapa Sawit Mandiri (APKSM) runs a Ramadan sharing program on an even larger scale. This farmer organization, based in Kadipi Atas, distributed 774 Eid gift packages to its members, organizational leaders, and residents in need, with a total value of Rp 400 million.

For the leaders of these smallholder organizations, the initiative carries an important message. They want to ensure that sustainable plantation practices do not benefit smallholders alone. The surrounding communities should also share in the rewards.

Programs like SSR are closely connected to the global sustainability system. Smallholders who obtain RSPO certification are able to sell what are known as RSPO credits to international buyers. These credits serve as a form of market recognition for responsibly produced palm oil. When companies or global buyers purchase them, they indirectly support the sustainable practices implemented by smallholders.

Part of the economic benefit generated through this system is then reinvested by smallholder organizations to strengthen their institutions, improve production capacity, and fund various social programs. SSR initiatives are among the most visible outcomes of this mechanism. Through them, the benefits of sustainability extend beyond plantation boundaries and flow back into the community.

In global discussions about the palm oil sector, the concept of sustainability often sounds vast and complicated. It is associated with global supply chains, certification frameworks, and the commitments of multinational corporations. But in palm-growing villages, sustainability frequently takes on a much simpler meaning.

It appears when smallholder cooperatives collect funds to support members who are struggling. It appears when smallholder organizations distribute food packages to neighbors living near the plantations. It appears in the belief that economic progress should also bring benefits to the broader community.

For Fortasbi Indonesia, stories like this serve as an important reminder that strengthening smallholders does more than improve productivity or help smallholders achieve certification. It also reinforces social networks within rural communities.

Programs such as SSR demonstrate that when smallholders gain access to global sustainability markets, the benefits can extend far beyond their farms. As evening settles over the village, the gathering slowly disperses. Residents who earlier received their packages begin returning home. Some families will likely save the supplies for the upcoming Eid celebration. Others may cook the food that same night.

Behind those simple packages lies a story rarely captured in industry statistics. It is a story about smallholders learning to manage their plantations responsibly. It is a story about village cooperatives transforming economic gains into social solidarity. And it is a story about how a global sustainability system can find its most meaningful expression at the community level.

When smallholders share the benefits of sustainability credits with their neighbors, they are sending a message that is both simple and powerful. Sustainability is not only about protecting the environment. It is also about taking care of one another.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel Ramadan Blessings from Smallholder Newsletter Maret 2026 pertama kali tampil pada .

A River Comes Back to Life Newsletter Maret 2026

smallholders — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:10:39 +0000

Newsletter; Maret 2026

THE GREEN COLUMN

A River Comes Back to Life

After three years protecting a sacred river pool in Jambi, smallholder harvest fish, hope, and lessons in sustainability.

That morning, the river in Lubuk Lawas Village felt different. A thin veil of mist still hovered above the water as villagers began gathering near the suspension bridge in RT 002. Some men arrived carrying fishing nets and plastic buckets on their shoulders. A few women spread woven mats beneath the trees and lit small cooking stoves.

From a distance, it looked almost like a village festival. But what the people of Lubuk Lawas were waiting for that morning was not a traditional celebration or an annual event. They had come to witness something far rarer: the reopening of a river they had carefully protected for three years.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the stretch of river known locally as Lubuk Larangan was officially opened for fishing. Three years earlier, residents of Batang Asam District in Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency, Jambi, had made a decision that required patience and collective discipline. They agreed to close nearly one kilometer of the river to all fishing activities.

No hooks!
No nets!
No one is allowed to take fish from the water!

For villagers who had lived alongside the river for generations, the decision was not easy. The river is more than just a natural landscape. It provides food, a place where children play, and a social space where the community gathers. Yet the people of Lubuk Lawas believed in a simple principle: if nature is given time to heal, it will eventually return the gift of life.

That morning, their belief was finally put to the test. As the signal was given, several community elders stepped into the water first. They carried fishing nets and cast them into the river, whose surface shimmered under the soft light of the morning sun.

Within seconds, ripples spread across the water. When the nets were pulled up, dozens of large fish thrashed inside.
Cheers erupted along the riverbank. Villagers rushed closer, their faces bright with excitement. After three years of restraint, the river had responded to their patience.

The nets were filled with freshwater species: catfish, tilapia, baung, hampala, gourami, and berau. Yet one fish in particular made many villagers pause in disbelief. The semah fish, the species had not been seen in the village river for years. Some residents had quietly assumed it had disappeared entirely from their waters. Now it had returned.

One villager lifted the fish from the net and held it up for everyone on the riverbank to see. The joy on his face was unmistakable. For the people of Lubuk Lawas, the reappearance of the semah meant far more than a successful catch. It was proof that their river had truly recovered.

Soon, the atmosphere along the riverbank shifted. What had begun as a moment of anticipation turned into a lively communal gathering. Freshly caught fish were cleaned and placed over glowing charcoal. Thin trails of smoke rose slowly into the morning air, carrying the unmistakable aroma of grilled fish.

Villagers sat together on mats spread beneath the trees, sharing a simple meal. The main dish, of course, came from the river where they had protected themselves.
That morning, Lubuk Larangan was more than a fish harvest. It was a celebration of patience.

The practice of Lubuk Larangan has long been known in many parts of Sumatera. Under this tradition, communities collectively agree to close certain sections of a river for a period of time to allow fish populations and ecosystems to recover naturally. Anyone who violates the agreement during the closure period faces social or customary sanctions.

The idea is rooted in local wisdom passed down through generations. When rivers are exploited continuously without pause, fish stocks decline. But when nature is given time, it often has an extraordinary ability to restore itself. In Lubuk Lawas, the tradition was revived around three years ago. The initiative began with members of the village youth organization, Karang Taruna, who had noticed that fish were becoming increasingly scarce in the river. They approached village leaders and residents and proposed a collective agreement to protect a stretch of the waterway.

Smallholders in the village soon joined the effort. Among them was the Berkah Mandah Lestari Smallholder Association, a smallholder organization that has obtained sustainability certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The initiative also received support from Fortasbi Indonesia and Setara Jambi, organizations that work closely with smallholders to strengthen sustainable smallholder practices. For those involved in the program, Lubuk Larangan became an example of how environmental conservation can grow alongside efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods.

In 2023, the protected river area in Lubuk Lawas was even visited by several sustainable palm oil buyers who are members of the RSPO through the Meet and Green program. The international guests came to see firsthand how sustainability practices can emerge from grassroots initiatives within rural communities. Yet for the villagers themselves, the success of Lubuk Larangan is not measured by visits from outsiders. Its success is far simpler. Fish have returned to their river. Even so, the reopening of Lubuk Larangan is carefully managed. The community has established rules to ensure that harvesting the fish does not disrupt the ecological balance that has slowly recovered.

On the first day of the reopening, only selected community elders and designated villagers are allowed to enter the river. The fish they catch are cooked and shared in a communal meal for the entire village.

On the second day, different rules apply. Only certain groups are allowed to fish, and the catch is not taken home. Instead, the fish are collected and sold, with the proceeds used for community needs, including the construction of the village mosque. Only on the third day are all villagers allowed to enter the river and catch fish for their families.

The harvest continues for about a week. After that, the river is closed again and the fishing ban returns. The villagers have not yet decided how long the next closure will last, but many expect the tradition will continue for several more years. This is how the people of Lubuk Lawas maintain a delicate balance between using natural resources and allowing nature the time it needs to recover.

Amid global debates about sustainability, stories like this often go unnoticed. Conversations about the future of palm oil frequently take place in international conference rooms, within technical reports, or through complex certification systems. But in this small village, sustainability carries a much simpler meaning. It exists in the form of a clean river. In fish returning to the water. In a shared agreement not to take everything at once.

The smallholders in Lubuk Lawas do not speak only about farm productivity or international certification standards. They also talk about the river that provides water, the fish that provide food, and the environment that sustains everyday life. Three years of protecting Lubuk Larangan have taught them a simple lesson that is often forgotten in larger conversations about development and sustainability: when nature is given time to recover, it almost always finds a way to live again. And in a small village in Jambi, that lesson took the form of fish swimming once more through their river. The river, at last, has come back to life.

Lubuk Larangan shows how local wisdom can naturally align with global sustainability principles. Conservation practices rooted in village traditions often reflect the same ecological values promoted by international sustainability frameworks.

For the people of Lubuk Lawas, protecting the river is not simply an environmental activity. It is a way of protecting their future.

As the afternoon light begins to fade, the riverbank slowly returns to its usual quiet. Children continue playing in the shallow water, while some villagers head home carrying the fish they caught earlier. The river flows gently beneath the suspension bridge. To outsiders, it may look like any other village river. But to the people of Lubuk Lawas, it now feels different.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel A River Comes Back to Life Newsletter Maret 2026 pertama kali tampil pada .

Newsletter January 2026

smallholders — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:00:57 +0000

Newsletter; January 2026

THE GREEN COLUMN

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel Newsletter January 2026 pertama kali tampil pada .

Newsletter November 2025

smallholders — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:20:58 +0000

Newsletter; November 2025

THE GREEN COLUMN

FORTASBI, RSPO, and WRI Award 10 Credit Buyers

On the sidelines of RT 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on November 3 – 5, 2025, an exciting session was held, an appreciation evening dedicated to credit buyers throughout 2024 – 2025. The event was held at the Shangri-La Hotel on November 4, 2025. It was a collaboration between FORTASBI, RSPO, and WRI.

This appreciation evening was dedicated to buyers who, during this critical time, continue to support and purchase credits from smallholders despite plummeting credit prices, a declining number of buyers, and numerous issues with the PRISMA application.

These 10 buyers remain committed to purchasing credits from smallholders. The 10 institutions or buyers who received recognition are:

Nestlé S.A.
Unilever Asia Private Limited
Kao Corporation
AchieveNow B.V.
Procter & Gamble
SC Johnson and Son, Inc.
Clariant International Ltd.
McCormick & Company Incorporated
Felleskøpet Agri SA
PepsiCo

Six of the ten credit buyers were present to receive their trophies in person, including Nestlé, Unilever, KAO, AchieveNow, Procter & Gamble, and PepsiCo.

This appreciation night marked the fourth edition. Initially initiated by FORTASBI, it has since evolved to include the participation of smallholders from various countries. Therefore, this year’s appreciation night was not only focused on credit buyers from Indonesian smallholders but also included credit buyers from other countries. For this reason, collaboration with RSPO was crucial to ensure RSPO-certified smallholders from different countries were involved in the trophy presentation.

In addition to awarding buyers, there was also a business matching session aimed at providing buyers with information about the positive stories behind the RSPO label and how credits are used. There were seven tables, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Malaysia, the Musim Mas Project, Thailand, Latin America, and Africa, each presenting an interesting story about certification, its impact, and how smallholders use credits. Buyers rotated and engaged in direct dialogue with smallholders at each table. This session allowed smallholders to interact directly with buyers and share how they use the credits. Such sessions will be held annually to help buyers better understand how RSPO credits are utilized by smallholders.

Buyer credits have protected 1,246 hectares of river buffer zones, preserved 157.02 hectares of forest, contributed to the adoption and protection of 13 orangutans, provided scholarships for 720 smallholders children, and supported the construction of new offices for 12 cooperatives. “Credits not only encourage palm oil production but also empower farmers to implement Smallholder Social Responsibility (SSR) programs,” said Rukaiyah Rafik, Head of the FORTASBI Secretariat.

RT2025: What the "Sustainability Action"
to Incentives Smallholders?

Approximately 30 RSPO-certified smallholders, members of the Forum Petani Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan (FORTASBI), attended the annual RSPO Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025), held at the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 3-5, 2025.

This forum, which brought together various stakeholders in sustainable palm oil, is expected to strengthen collaboration and the tangible impact of certification, especially for smallholders, including credit incentives.

Many issues pose challenges to the future of certification, including ensuring the long-term well-being of smallholder and plantation communities and ensuring a fair and inclusive palm oil plantation system.

The smallholders concern regarding credit sales, rising audit costs, the suboptimal use of PRISMA application technology, and even the audit process, particularly disclosure, which can take longer, must be addressed and solutions sought as a step towards stronger collaboration.

Antonius Anyu, Chairman of the Advisory Board Forum Petani Berkelanjutan Indonesia (FORTASBI), and General Manager of the Keling Kumang Palm Oil Smallholder Association (APKSKK) in Sekadau, West Kalimantan, explained that many issues must be addressed and solutions sought to ensure sustainable palm oil certification remains attractive to smallholders.

The RSPO and stakeholders in sustainable palm oil must be able to make breakthroughs by taking various initiatives, particularly to address the issues of credit marketing and declining prices amidst rising fresh fruit bunch (FFB) prices.

Anyu said that the application of technology, the latest principles and criteria must also be supported by preparing a fair and inclusive credit market for smallholders. The RSPO must seek alternative incentives for smallholders. Using Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RACP) funds could be an alternative option to provide incentives for smallholders.

Companies can use RaCP funds to support RSPO-certified smallholders with innovative programs such as forest protection, rehabilitation, and low-carbon palm oil production. This proposal is not to disregard the forest protection scheme through RaCP funding, but rather to complement the existing scheme.

This way, smallholders receive benefits beyond credit, and this scheme can encourage smallholders to take protection and restoration measures as a commitment to sustainable palm oil.

Influencing Young Generation, FORTASBI Involves Two Content Creators in the RT2025

In an effort to expand its influence and engage the younger generation in sustainability issues in the palm oil sector, the Forum Petani Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan Indonesia (FORTASBI) is involving two young content creators in this year’s annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) event (RT 2025).

These two content creators are the winners of the young content creator competition held by FORTASBI on September 25-27, 2025, in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. The participation of these two content creators is sponsored by the RSPO Youth program and FORTASBI.

This step is part of FORTASBI’s strategy to bridge the world of farmers with a wider audience, especially young people who are active on social media. Through a `creative approach and a fresher communication style, FORTASBI hopes that messages about the importance of sustainability, justice, and the role of smallholders will be more easily understood and appreciated by a new generation.

Another message we want to convey is the positive stories of RSPO certified smallholders. Until now, young people have only known that palm oil is a source of deforestation, but in fact, there are many compelling stories of smallholders who have begun to shift their plantation management practices from conventional to sustainable ones.

Until now, the issue of sustainable palm oil has often been considered complex and distant from the daily lives of young people. Yet, if we look closely, palm oil is a constant companion in young people’s daily lives, from waking up to going to bed. Whether it’s skincare, hanging out at cafes, or getting treatments at salons, palm oil is always present.

“Therefore, it’s necessary to educate young people that palm oil isn’t always bad. By featuring content creators, we want to create a more inclusive dialogue,” said Alwan Ridha, Communications Team Member for FORTASBI.

In addition to producing coverage and creative content on social media, they also participate in discussion sessions in the RSPO Youth program. Their presence is expected to showcase a new face of FORTASBI that is more open, modern, and communicative, without abandoning the spirit of smallholders that is at the core of the organization.

Through this initiative, FORTASBI aims to demonstrate that sustainability is not just about certification and reporting, but also a shared journey across generations. Young people play a crucial role in promoting positive change for the environment and community well-being.

Amidst existing challenges and limitations, FORTASBI continues to campaign for sustainable palm oil to the public through social media, inviting young content creators to work together to increase their capacity in producing content on the best practices of smallholders

The two young content creators are Hikmah Yani Chaniago from Subulussalam, Aceh, and Nabillah Nissya Fadhilah from Yogyakarta. These two content creators are also FORTASBI ambassadors for one year, tasked with providing education to the younger generation in Indonesia.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel Newsletter November 2025 pertama kali tampil pada .

Newsletter September 2025

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:20:30 +0000

Newsletter; September 2025

THE GREEN COLUMN

11 Years of FORTASBI: Creating Impact and Advancing Sustainability for Palm Oil Smallholders

For 11 years, the Sustainable Palm Oil Smallholders Forum Foundation, better known as FORTASBI, has been working alongside palm oil smallholders.

Since its establishment on August 14, 2014, FORTASBI has consistently taken steps to encourage and support palm oil smallholders in managing their farms independently, productively, and sustainably.

For more than a decade, FORTASBI has been a partner to thousands of smallholders organized into 60 farmer groups across several provinces.

FORTASBI continues to turn challenges into opportunities and deliver tangible impact for sustainable palm oil to this day.

One of FORTASBI’s greatest contributions is providing intensive assistance for smallholders. Through various training programs, FORTASBI educates smallholders on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) as part of the journey toward sustainable palm oil certification.

FORTASBI focuses not only on outcomes but also on responsible practices. The foundation continues to strengthen and promote sustainability initiatives that are environmentally friendly, such as river and forest protection, orangutan adoption, regenerative agriculture, and the Smallholder Social Responsibility scholarship program to support the future of smallholders’ children.

With the support of many partners, FORTASBI strives to cultivate more champions of improved land management practices while protecting ecosystems and the environment across different regions.

FORTASBI aims to remain a driving force for smallholders to achieve sustainability certifications, such as the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), as proof that their palm oil is produced according to standards.

After 11 years, FORTASBI has proven itself as an institution with a long-term vision. The impact it delivers is not only felt today but will continue into the future. Let us collaborate for sustainable palm oil and the welfare of smallholders.

Newsletter January 2025

Download Now!121 Downloads

Link Cepat

Artikel Newsletter September 2025 pertama kali tampil pada .

FORTASBI and the Effort to Guide Smallholders Toward Low-Emission Palm Oil Production

THE GREEN COLUMN