PALMOILMAGAZINE, PEKANBARU — Palm oil plantation practices are once again under the spotlight in the context of climate change, especially regarding their contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While large corporations often take center stage in environmental discussions, independent smallholder farmers are increasingly gaining attention for their role in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.
Land clearing for palm oil cultivation, particularly through deforestation in peatland areas, is a major source of carbon emissions. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon, and when drained or burned, that carbon is released into the atmosphere as CO₂, worsening the climate crisis.
Amid these challenges, certified smallholders under the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) schemes are being encouraged to adopt more climate-friendly practices. These include the use of organic fertilizers, biomass waste management (such as fronds and empty fruit bunches), agroforestry, and biological pest control.
The smallholder organization FORTASBI (Forum Petani Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan Indonesia) believes that smallholder contributions to carbon reduction remain underrecognized. In reality, many of these farmers have long applied sustainable methods that deserve acknowledgment as part of meaningful climate action.
As part of its efforts to build farmer capacity, FORTASBI organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop this week in Pekanbaru, Riau, attended by smallholder representatives from various provinces within the FORTASBI network. The training featured expert speakers from WWF Indonesia, TUV Rheinland, and CIFOR-ICRAF, a leading forestry and environmental research institution.
One key focus of the training was simple carbon measurement techniques and identifying sources of carbon in plantation areas and nearby village environments. FORTASBI emphasized the importance of this knowledge in empowering farmers not only as implementers but also as frontline actors in local climate mitigation efforts.
“Climate change doesn’t just affect the globe—it’s felt right at the village level. Smallholder farmers must be equipped to understand their contributions, even through the smallest actions,” said a FORTASBI representative, as quoted from their official website on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).
Participants also engaged in hands-on activities, including measuring carbon stocks in oil palm plantations and agroforestry plots, learning to identify where carbon is stored and how it is released through farming activities.
Upon returning to their respective regions, ToT participants are expected to share their knowledge by training fellow farmers—part of a broader strategy to scale up the impact of the initiative.
Through this participatory and educational approach, FORTASBI aims to empower more smallholders to independently conduct carbon assessments and play an active role in maintaining climate balance. For FORTASBI, recognizing smallholder efforts in carbon reduction is a crucial step toward a more sustainable and equitable palm oil sector. (P2)
