PALMOILMAGAZINE, KETAPANG — A major milestone for independent palm smallholders in Ketapang has finally been reached. The Ketapang Palm Oil Smallholders Association (PPSK) has officially earned certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), marking a significant step toward globally recognized sustainable practices.
PPSK Chairman Sudarto explained that the organization oversees 10 cooperatives and two private entities, representing 1,223 farmers with a combined plantation area of 2,238 hectares.
“This has not been a short journey. We underwent every stage of the RSPO audit process,” Sudarto said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Fortasbi on Tuesday (25 November 2025).
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According to Sudarto, the first audit was conducted by TUV Rheinland Indonesia in late May 2024, followed by a second audit on 19 December 2024. After a series of rigorous verifications and evaluations, PPSK was officially declared compliant and awarded RSPO certification on 17 January 2025.
This achievement marks a transformative moment for Ketapang’s smallholders. Beyond strengthening their position in the global supply chain, RSPO certification is expected to open doors to wider markets and boost the value of their production.
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Sudarto emphasized that this accomplishment is not the end, but the start of a new commitment.
“We want sustainable practices to become more than documents—they must become part of our farming culture,” he said.
With this certification in place, PPSK hopes it will encourage more independent smallholders in Ketapang to adopt sustainability principles for a stronger and more resilient future of the palm oil sector. (P2)
