PALMOILMAGAZINE, LAMANDAU — Efforts to build the capacity and independence of smallholder palm oil farmers continue to accelerate. On 6 November 2025, Solidaridad Indonesia held a Farmer Field Day (FFD) for alumni of its Farmer Field School (Sekolah Lapangan/SL) program in Lamandau, Central Kalimantan. The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, network building, and reinforcing farmers’ commitment to productive, efficient, and sustainable palm oil cultivation practices.
Carrying the theme “Enhancing Productivity and Sustainable Practices Through Strong Alumni Networks,” this year’s FFD also supports the implementation of the 2024–2026 Lamandau Sustainable Palm Oil Regional Action Plan (RAD KSB). The focus includes strengthening independent smallholders through capacity building, coaching on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), facilitating the issuance of cultivation registration certificates (STDB), and accelerating Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.
Yeni Fitriyanti, Country Manager of Solidaridad Indonesia, emphasized that FFD is more than just a gathering—it is a space for connectivity between farmers and stakeholders. “FFD allows Farmer Field School alumni to share their experiences with fellow farmers, communities, academics, and industry players. It also opens access to information, finance, markets, and support from both government and private sector partners,” she explained.
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Yeni stressed that cross-sector collaboration is essential for empowering smallholders. “We hope this event strengthens the position of independent palm oil farmers in Lamandau, both in terms of productivity and sustainable plantation management,” she said in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com, Tuesday (11/11/2025).
The FFD gathered a wide range of participants—from local government agencies and technical departments to companies, academics, civil society organizations (CSOs), and palm oil industry players. The event became a collaborative forum to exchange knowledge, particularly on yield improvement, farm management, and the implementation of sustainability standards such as ISPO and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
In addition to discussion sessions, the FFD featured field visits to farmers’ plantations and an exhibition involving various stakeholders. Lamandau Polytechnic showcased organic fertilizers and crafts made from palm oil waste, while several companies presented technological innovations and financing solutions for smallholders. Financial institutions and fertilizer producers also provided direct service access through dedicated booths.
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The agenda included presentations from the Lamandau Agriculture and Fisheries Office regarding STDB, ISPO certification, agricultural infrastructure development, and palm oil education scholarships facilitated by the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). There was also a special session on developing added-value products from palm fronds and nipah, delivered by sector experts.
Since its launch in 2024, Solidaridad’s Farmer Field School program has shown tangible impact. The initiative has reached 13 villages across four subdistricts, covering a total plantation area of 40,043 hectares. A total of 760 farmers have participated in training—187 of them women—reflecting Solidaridad’s commitment to gender inclusivity. During this year’s FFD, 130 farmers were officially graduated as SL alumni.
The event is expected to produce a jointly developed Follow-Up Action Plan (RTL) formulated by independent smallholders in program areas. This plan will serve as a roadmap to strengthen community-based farmer group institutions that are independent and sustainable.
Going forward, Solidaridad hopes the SL alumni network in Lamandau will grow into a platform for consultation and collaboration among farmers—focusing not only on productivity but also on social and environmental sustainability. Moreover, the FFD stands as concrete evidence of the collective commitment of farmers, local government, and development partners to make Lamandau’s RAD KSB a model of sustainable palm oil practice at the regional level. (P2)
