PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable oil palm plantations in Indonesia through various innovative programs. One key initiative is the Realising Indonesian Smallholder Empowerment (RISE) program, aimed at improving farming practices and increasing farmers’ incomes.
To boost productivity while preserving the environment, the company focuses on replanting oil palm areas, protecting concession lands, and supporting independent farmers beyond its own concessions.
According to Stephan Sinisuka, Head of Corporate Communications at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, Indonesia’s total oil palm plantation area spans 16.8 million hectares, with over 37% (around 6.3 million hectares) managed by smallholder farmers, including both plasma and independent farmers.
As part of its support for smallholder farmers, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food launched the RISE program, which not only enhances agricultural practices and farmer incomes but also plays a crucial role in transforming the sustainable palm oil supply chain.
One of the program’s highlights is Sawit Terampil, an intensive training initiative that equips farmer groups with: Improved cultivation methods, One-on-one mentoring, and Preparation to meet RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) standards
In addition to technical training, the company invests in farmer and family education to enhance overall productivity. Within the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Program, farmers receive mentorship based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to help improve long-term livelihoods.
So far, the Sawit Terampil program has reached over 9,000 smallholder farmers across Indonesia. By 2025, the company aims to train 10,000 independent farmers, expanding further to 50,000 farmers by 2030, and ultimately supporting 100,000 farmers by 2035.
These farmers are part of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s supply chain in several districts across Aceh and Langkat, North Sumatra.
According to Helena Delima Lumban Gaol, Head of the Smallholders Innovation Department at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, the program not only helps farmers adopt best practices but also adds value by supporting the long-term sustainability of their land.
“We estimate that by 2030, the company will be able to support up to 50,000 independent farmers supplying oil palm fruit to Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food in implementing sustainable palm oil practices. By 2035, we plan to train up to 100,000 farmers,” she stated during the launch of the RISE Initiative and RSPO certification celebration, attended by Palmoilmagazine.com in Jakarta, early December 2024.
The Sawit Terampil program has been well received by farmers in the company’s supply chain. The RSPO certification obtained through this program allows farmers to demonstrate compliance with international standards to global buyers, creating new opportunities for incentives. However, Helena emphasized that the program’s main benefit is not just financial incentives but ensuring long-term land sustainability for farmers.
“Sustainable practices mean that farmers maintain their plantation’s productivity over time. This involves proper land management to keep it fertile and ensure optimal yields. Well-managed land determines the sustainability of their crops and overall welfare,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hero Sanjaya, Head of Supplier Compliance at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, highlighted that to enhance the sustainability of the palm oil supply chain, the company continues to roll out various training and mentoring programs for independent farmers and other suppliers. This support covers multiple aspects, from sustainable farming practices to operational guidance.
“We provide free mentoring programs, including on-site visits to help suppliers understand and implement best practices. The goal is to ensure they are fully prepared to meet established sustainability standards,” Hero stated. (P2)
