PALMOILMAGAZINE, KUTAI KARTANEGARA — The sound of a gong echoed through the Kembang Janggut Subdistrict Hall on Friday (October 10, 2025), marking a new chapter for smallholder oil palm farmers in the heart of Kutai Kartanegara. With great enthusiasm, Regent Dr. Aulia Rahman Basri, M.Kes, struck the gong to inaugurate the Smallholder Partnership AcCEleration (SPACE) Program — an initiative by PT REA Kaltim Plantations (REA) that promotes inclusive collaboration between the company and independent smallholders.
More than a ceremonial launch, the program represents a long-term effort to bridge farmer welfare, environmental sustainability, and a responsible supply chain. SPACE was designed to ensure that independent smallholders no longer have to navigate the challenges of the global palm oil industry alone.
Through SPACE, REA is developing a partnership model that empowers farmers. The initial phase involves Kembang Janggut Village, Koperasi Merah Putih, and over 100 smallholders. The goal is simple yet impactful — to help farmers boost their incomes while maintaining ecological balance.
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Farmers participating in the program will receive training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), gain faster access to payments, and obtain technical support for replanting. In addition, REA will assist farmers in replanting on legal, non-forest land, ensuring that every harvested bunch originates from responsible sources.
“SPACE is more than a program — it’s a new way of working hand-in-hand with farmers and communities,” said Luke M.D. Robinow, President Director of REA, in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Saturday (October 11, 2025). “We want smallholders to be part of the future we are building together — where companies, communities, and nature grow in harmony.”
The launch was marked by the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between REA, village authorities, cooperatives, and farmer representatives — symbolizing multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen the foundation of sustainable palm oil development in the region.
SPACE is not REA’s only initiative for inclusive smallholder empowerment. Since 2024, the company has been running the Smallholder Inclusion for Ethical Sourcing (SHINES) program, which has already shown tangible results.
Through SHINES, REA has helped hundreds of farmers secure vital legal documents such as STDB (Smallholder Registration Certificates) and SPPL (Environmental Management Statements) — essential foundations for ensuring legal and sustainable palm cultivation. To date, 173 farmers have applied for STDB, 105 e-STDB certificates have been issued, and 59 SPPL documents have been facilitated.
REA has also supported 103 smallholders from two cooperatives in preparing for RSPO certification, covering 279.6 hectares, and assisted 256 smallholders in aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) across 1,016.94 hectares.
Regent Aulia Rahman Basri emphasized the importance of these efforts.
“STDB and SPPL are not mere administrative papers — they are tickets for Kutai Kartanegara’s farmers to enter global markets that demand legality and sustainability,” he stated.
One of the participating farmers, Erwinsyah K, shared his optimism.
“We used to worry whether our land was recognized or our harvest accepted. Now, we have proper documentation, recognition, and — most importantly — a sense of security for our future,” he said with a smile.
From Village to the World
Ardiansyah, Head of Kembang Janggut Village, views these programs as a major opportunity for his community.
“For us, oil palm is more than a crop — it’s our livelihood. With SHINES and SPACE, farmers are learning responsible land management, strengthening cooperatives, and taking pride that our palm oil now meets international standards,” he explained.
Both SPACE and SHINES embody REA’s “Empowering Livelihoods” pillar within its broader sustainability strategy, which also includes Sustainable Development, Climate Action, and Forest Conservation. These four pillars guide the company’s mission to build a palm oil industry that prioritizes not only productivity but also people and the planet.
“SPACE and SHINES complement each other,” said Dr. Bremen Yong, REA’s Group Chief Sustainability Officer. “One strengthens farmers economically, while the other ensures they grow legally and sustainably. Together, they provide long-term stability for farmers and communities.”
From Kembang Janggut, a spirit of collaboration continues to grow — like carefully nurtured palm seedlings. Together with smallholders, cooperatives, and local governments, REA is planting the seeds of a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable palm oil industry.
What began with the beat of a gong in a modest hall may soon echo across global markets — carrying the message that palm oil from Kutai Kartanegara is not just a commodity, but the result of collective effort rooted in sustainability and shared prosperity. (P2)
