PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Tunas Merapi Manunggal Cooperative, a palm oil producer cooperative based in Rokan Hulu, Riau, has successfully obtained the prestigious Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. The certificate was officially presented by the CEO of RSPO, Joseph D’Cruz to the Cooperative’s Chairman, Wardoyo, during a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 10, 2024.
Wardoyo revealed that the cooperative is located in Sikebau Jaya Village, Rokan Empat Koto District, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau. Currently, 150 smallholders managing a total of 234 hectares of palm plantations are certified under RSPO standards. He emphasized that the cooperative aims to expand this number, as more smallholders recognize the benefits of certification.
“The main advantage for smallholders lies in the continuous guidance they receive on sustainable palm oil cultivation practices, including training programs aligned with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and environmental management within their plantations,” Wardoyo explained.
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The certification process took approximately 18 months, supported by the Palm Oil Smallholders Union (SPKS). According to Wardoyo, many smallholders were initially unaware of the significance of certification, but SPKS provided consistent education through small group discussions and outreach programs.
Meeting certification standards required the cooperative to develop member plantation maps, establish management standards and SOPs for plantations, conduct training sessions, and undergo rigorous audits. SPKS played a critical role in supporting these efforts.
Wardoyo hopes the certification will attract direct partnerships with palm oil buyers and surrounding companies, as cooperative members currently sell their produce to middlemen at low prices. He also called on the local government to enhance support for infrastructure programs that would benefit members.
Looking forward, the cooperative is committed to pursuing Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification, a mandatory requirement for smallholders under government regulations. Support for ISPO certification has already begun, with assistance from the local government and the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS).
Broader Context of Sustainable Palm Oil Production
SPKS Chairman, Sabarudin, noted that 12 cooperatives under SPKS have now achieved RSPO and ISPO certifications, representing 2,800 smallholders managing 4,500 hectares of plantations.
“This demonstrates the strong commitment of palm oil smallholders to sustainable production that meets global market demands,” Sabarudin stated.
He refuted the perception that smallholders are incapable of sustainable practices, citing efforts by smallholders in West Kalimantan to both implement certification and conserve surrounding forests.
However, he acknowledged the high costs involved in meeting sustainability standards. He criticized large palm oil companies, including RSPO members, for providing minimal support to smallholder smallholders despite benefiting significantly from the national palm oil industry.
“The government’s support is also not yet optimal. We call for greater assistance from companies and the government to enable more smallholders to adopt global market standards,” Sabarudin added.
SPKS remains committed to accelerating ISPO certification across its cooperatives, emphasizing its potential to improve national palm oil productivity and governance. “ISPO will be a key driver of transformation for the palm oil sector in Indonesia,” he concluded. (P3)
