PALMOILMAGAZINE, PONTIANAK – The Plantation and Livestock Service Office of West Kalimantan Province started a new step in strengthening the capacity of independent oil palm farmers in the region. On Monday (04/11/2024), the Head of Plantation and Animal Husbandry Office of West Kalimantan, Heronimus Hero, SP, M.Si, officially opened the Training of Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) Certification Facilitators in Pontianak.
The training aims to create trainers who are ready to assist farmers in the ISPO certification process, which is now one of the important standards for the sustainability of the Indonesian palm oil industry. “Through this training, we hope that there will be qualified trainers who are able to support independent smallholder organizations in fulfilling ISPO requirements,” Heronimus said in his speech quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from the official FB page of West Kalimantan Disbuntan, Wednesday (6/11/2024).
The training is focused on several main aspects needed in ISPO certification, such as the development of Internal Control System (SPI) and institutional capacity building. It is expected that the trainees will be able to assist farmers in complying with sustainable plantation practices and build a more accurate database of farmers.
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According to Heronimus, strengthening institutional capacity and technical cultivation expertise are key to achieving optimal productivity. “We want the farmers to not only have high yields but also better market access to sell their fresh fruit bunches (FFB) at Palm Oil Mills (PKS),” he added.
In addition to helping improve the competitiveness of independent smallholders, the training program is expected to open up wider opportunities for West Kalimantan palm oil products to meet global standards. (P2)
