PALMOILMAGAZINE, BERLIN — In late April 2025, the voice of Indonesian farmers echoed strongly in Berlin during a key international meeting. Standing before a room filled with business leaders, environmental activists, and German government officials, Sabarudin, Chairman of the Palm Oil Farmers Union (Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit/SPKS), represented smallholder farmers from Indonesia. He delivered their hopes and concerns to the members of the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP).
Founded in 2015, FONAP brings together over 50 stakeholders—including major companies, industry associations, NGOs, and Germany’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The forum plays a central role in promoting sustainable palm oil practices, with a core mission to ensure that palm oil used globally comes from environmentally friendly supply chains that respect human rights.
The admission of SPKS as an official FONAP member in 2024 marks a significant shift. For the first time, smallholder farmers have a real seat at the table in global sustainability dialogues.
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“We want to show that smallholders are capable of producing sustainable, deforestation-free, and traceable palm oil,” said Sabarudin in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Yet, the journey toward sustainable supply chains is far from smooth. Sabarudin highlighted a key challenge: the market’s under-absorption of RSPO credits. “Many farmers are already certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), but their credits go unsold due to a lack of demand for physically traceable oil, especially in Europe,” he explained. He called on FONAP members to act as a bridge, helping ensure that Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) from Indonesian farmers reaches global consumers.
Responding to this call, M. Windrawan Inantha, Deputy Director of Market Transformation at RSPO Indonesia, offered encouraging news. He shared that RSPO is currently piloting the integration of certified smallholders into physically traceable supply chains. One example is a partnership in Aceh Tamiang between local farmers and PT Mora Niaga Jaya, an RSPO-certified mill. Facilitated by IDH Indonesia, the project demonstrates how inclusive sustainability can be achieved in practice.
“This collaboration is not just about certification—it’s about long-term, fair partnerships,” Windrawan emphasized. “We want independent smallholders to truly move up the value chain and gain access to traceable palm oil markets.”
Beyond technical discussions and market strategies, one message remains constant: the future of sustainable palm oil must include all players, especially those closest to the land—the smallholder farmers. With continued collaboration and commitment from FONAP and global partners, the vision of a fair and inclusive sustainable palm oil sector is gradually becoming a reality. (P1)
