PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — On August 14, 2025, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Farmers Forum (FORTASBI) marked its 11th anniversary as a platform dedicated to strengthening the capacity of independent oil palm smallholders in achieving sustainability certification. Founded in 2014 through the initiative of several NGOs and farmer organizations, the forum has grown into a nationwide network connecting tens of thousands of farmers across Indonesia.
When it began, FORTASBI supported only two farmer groups, representing 937 farmers managing 2,403 hectares of plantations. Today, in 2025, the forum has expanded to 60 groups with 22,770 members cultivating 65,837 hectares—all of which are certified sustainable.
Training and Certification Achievements
Over the past 11 years, FORTASBI has trained 26,316 farmers across 14 provinces and 24 districts in areas such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), High Conservation Value (HCV), Palm Oil Plantation Inventory and Certification (PPIC), ISO standards, and RSPO requirements. In addition, 2,664 independent farmers have received training in regenerative agriculture.
Women’s participation has also been a priority. Of the total trained farmers, 5,018 were women, with 1,500 actively involved in family welfare programs.
FORTASBI’s training team now includes 12 certification specialists, 14 local HCV trainers, 19 local RSPO trainers, 18 local GIS trainers, and 26 local carbon trainers. Since 2019, the forum has facilitated RSPO certification for 5,787 new farmers covering 14,434 hectares, while another 4,906 farmers managing 9,205 hectares are in the process of obtaining RSPO or ISO certification.
Social, Environmental, and Infrastructure Impacts
The forum has also used RSPO credit incentives to fund social programs, including healthcare access for 2,400 member families, mass circumcision for 500 children, financial aid for 1,500 underprivileged residents, assistance for 250 orphans, and scholarships for 720 students.
On the environmental front, FORTASBI has recorded the conservation of 121 kilometers of riverbanks, rehabilitation of 1,246 hectares of riparian zones, restoration of 485.24 hectares of peatlands, protection of 157.02 hectares of forests, and the planting of 4,415 timber and fruit trees.
In terms of infrastructure, the forum has established 12 new offices for independent smallholder cooperatives and farmer organizations, while improving 172.5 kilometers of plantation roads.
Over its 11-year journey, FORTASBI has secured a total of US$11.10 million in RSPO credit incentives—clear evidence that sustainability not only benefits the environment but also delivers significant economic value to smallholders.
FORTASBI reaffirmed its commitment to remain a shared learning space for both certified and aspiring farmers, strengthening their role in Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil supply chain. (P2)
