PALMOILMAGAZINE, SUBULUSSALAM, ACEH – After two years of implementation, the Landscape Approach for Sustainable and Resilient (LASR) project has demonstrated tangible progress in promoting sustainable landscape development in Subulussalam City and Aceh Singkil District. The initiative is part of the Indonesia Sustainable Landscape Program (SLPI), a collaborative effort involving the Swiss Government through SECO, together with Swisscontact, Koltiva, and Earthworm Foundation.
The project’s achievements and ongoing challenges were discussed during a Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) held at the Subulussalam Mayor’s Hall on Wednesday (May 14, 2025). The forum brought together stakeholders from government, local communities, and development organizations.
Ridlo Sahri Walhuda, Head of the Natural Resource Management Secretariat (PSDA) of Subulussalam, noted that LASR has successfully created space for strategic collaboration. “This collaboration forms a vital foundation for driving socio-ecological transformation in our region,” he said.
Key achievements of the LASR project include strengthening the multi-stakeholder forum with a digital monitoring system through the MSF Dashboard, drafting strategic documents such as the Sustainable Palm Oil Regional Action Plan (RAD-KSB) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS), and facilitating participatory land-use mapping with village communities. The project has also supported the development of alternative livelihoods, provided assistance for RSPO certification for smallholders, and facilitated ISPO certification for companies.
Ridlo acknowledged that challenges remain at both the local level in Subulussalam and in Aceh Singkil, but expressed confidence that cross-sectoral synergy will be key to overcoming them.
Asrul Assani, Assistant I of the Subulussalam City Secretariat, also expressed appreciation on behalf of the local government. He highlighted that LASR’s impact goes beyond agriculture, helping to shape planning documents like the KLHS for medium- and long-term development plans, and village spatial planning initiatives.
“Support from Swisscontact and NGO partners has been instrumental in reaching program areas that are not yet fully addressed by government initiatives,” said Asrul.
Subulussalam Mayor H. Rasyid Bancin and Deputy Mayor Nasir expressed full support for the initiative, seeing the sustainable palm oil program as a successful example of government–NGO synergy. Moving forward, they hope this collaboration can be expanded to include economic empowerment and environmental conservation.
The Subulussalam City Government also called on Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to support regional strategic proposals, especially in terms of funding, technical assistance, and ongoing supervision.
“We are committed to creating inclusive and productive spaces for collaboration, in pursuit of equitable and sustainable development,” Asrul concluded. (*)
Report by: Nukman Suryadi Angkat
