PALMOILMAGAZINE, ROKAN HULU – Smallholders play a pivotal role in implementing ISPO, as they oversee 42% of Indonesia’s total palm oil plantations, covering approximately 6.94 million hectares. Compliance with ISPO principles and criteria is mandated for them, as outlined in RMA Number 38 / 2020, which stipulates the implementation of five principles, nineteen criteria, and thirty indicators under the ISPO framework.
Since 2011, Indonesia’s government has overseen the regulation of sustainable palm oil plantations through the issuance of Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture (RMA) Number 11 / 2015, which established the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) framework.
In 2020, this commitment was further solidified with the enactment of President’s Regulation Number 44 / 2020, which established the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification System. This underlined the government’s support for promoting palm oil cultivation based on sustainable principles, particularly by empowering smallholders across the nation.
Also Read: Accelerating ISPO Certification in East Kalimantan Plantations 26 Percent Success
As in the official statement to Palmoilmagazine.com, Thursday (29/2/2024), Regent of Rokan Hulu, Haji Sukiman said that it is important to implement sustainable palm oil plantations to escalate the harvests. He emphasized the supports from regional government by handing over cultivation documents for the smallholders as the way to confirm sustainable agricultural practices.
Meanwhile Chairman of Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit (SPKS), Sabarudin said that ISPO plays important roles to escalate its governance. It covers about data aspect, legal, institution, and market access. He also told it is important to get fund access for smallholders to get ISPO certificate by proposing to the central and regional governments to get the available fund.
Secretariat Head of ISPO, Herdrajat Natawijaya told that ISPO certificate is integral part in palm oil development sustainably which it is the same with sustainable development goals. The government and other stakeholders would keep supporting and developing smallholders through the groups.
Head of Plantation, Agriculture Agency Regency of Rokan Hulu, Nur Ikhlas said, ISPO certification is still in progress.
“We and other stakeholders keep developing the smallholders’ groups,” Nur said.
Palm oil plantation company – Palmco Holding of PTPN IV Region 3 also emphasized that ISPO certificate is important to encourage sustainable palm oil plantation development. The company told the best and sustainable practices would be the key to succeed smallholders.
Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit (SPKS) also develops independent smallholders. The organization plays its roles to escalate the smallholders’ best and sustainable plantation practices, escalate their welfare.
By having ISPO certificate and implementing the best and sustainable practices, Indonesia would reinforce its commitment to realize sustainable palm oil plantations, maintain the environment good, escalate smallholders’ welfare, and promote sustainable products to many countries. With the full supports from the governments and other stakeholders, these would realize sustainable palm oil practices and deliver advantages for the people. (T2)
