PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – With a strong commitment to sustainability, Musim Mas continues to align with the government’s strategy to advance Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil industry by accelerating the implementation of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification. The company has been actively supporting and guiding thousands of independent smallholders to meet national sustainability standards.
The ISPO certification plays a vital role in ensuring the Indonesian palm oil industry adheres to responsible environmental, social, and economic principles. It serves not only as a national benchmark for sustainability but also as a mechanism to strengthen good governance across the sector. According to data from the Directorate General of Plantations, Ministry of Agriculture, as of July 2025, a total of 7.21 million hectares of palm plantations in Indonesia had been ISPO certified — including 69,209 hectares managed by independent smallholders. Although still relatively small, this contribution highlights the significant role smallholders play in the national supply chain.
Independent smallholders, however, continue to face major challenges in obtaining ISPO certification. These include limited understanding and access to information, land legality issues, weak institutional structures, and financial constraints to implement sustainable practices.
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To address these challenges, Musim Mas launched its Independent Smallholder Empowerment Program in 2015 to help smallholders integrate into the sustainable palm oil supply chain while supporting national ISPO targets. Since 2021, the company has been assisting smallholders in achieving ISPO certification. By 2025, Musim Mas successfully guided 3,294 independent smallholders, covering 7,804 hectares, to obtain ISPO certification — representing 11% of the national achievement for independent smallholders, a figure expected to grow as the program expands.
“Musim Mas is deeply committed to bringing independent smallholders into a more sustainable supply chain, one way being through ISPO certification. This reflects our alignment with the government’s strategy to strengthen a sustainable national palm oil industry,” said Rob Nicholls, Program & Project General Manager of Musim Mas, in a statement to Palmoilmagazine.com, Tuesday (7/10).
Musim Mas applies a holistic approach in its smallholder assistance. The company provides field-based technical guidance by agronomists, facilitates the formation of formal farmer organizations, and supports coordination with local authorities, certification bodies, and other stakeholders. Administrative assistance is also provided, including legal documentation and production recordkeeping to ensure compliance with ISPO standards.
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To ensure long-term sustainability, Musim Mas conducts regular training sessions covering sustainable farming practices, occupational health and safety (OHS), and social and environmental awareness. Notably, the company fully covers the cost of ISPO certification, allowing smallholders to focus on improving their practices without financial burden.
The benefits of this initiative are already being felt by smallholders like Lady Ardyanto, an independent farmer from Pasir Jaya Village, Rokan Hulu, Riau, who achieved ISPO certification in 2021. “There’s not yet a price difference for certified fresh fruit bunches (FFB), but with better cultivation practices, such as proper fertilization, my palm productivity has improved. I hope Musim Mas continues to support more farmers, and that the government simplifies ISPO standards and helps with document processing like STDB. That way, more independent smallholders can enjoy the benefits,” she said.
The synergy between Musim Mas and the government in accelerating ISPO certification demonstrates the critical role of the private sector in building an inclusive and sustainable palm oil industry. This collaboration not only meets global demands for sustainable production but also improves smallholder livelihoods and strengthens the long-term future of Indonesia’s palm oil sector. (P3)
