The Southeast Sulawesi regency is speeding up the registration of independent oil palm farmers to strengthen plantation legality, improve access to government support, and advance Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil agenda.
PALMOILMAGAZINE, North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi — The North Konawe Regency Government is accelerating the registration of oil palm smallholders as part of its efforts to strengthen the legal status of independent plantations and promote sustainable palm oil production through the issuance of Smallholder Plantation Registration Certificates (STDB) and Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.
According to a report by Kendari Pos cited by PalmOilMagazine on Tuesday (Aug. 4), the initiative was launched through a Multi-Stakeholder Sustainable Palm Oil Workshop, which also served as a platform to accelerate smallholder data collection. The event brought together representatives from the local government, the Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Union (SPKS), regional government agencies, and village heads from across North Konawe.
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North Konawe Regent Ikbar described the registration program as a strategic step toward strengthening governance in the smallholder palm oil sector while supporting broader implementation of ISPO certification.
He said the initiative goes beyond administrative compliance by establishing a comprehensive and integrated database covering farmers’ identities, plantation locations, land size, land status, planting material, and production potential. The database will serve as an important reference for policymaking and the distribution of government assistance programs.
“Accurate and integrated data are essential to ensure that every eligible farmer is registered and that there are no duplicate land records,” Ikbar said. “This database will become the foundation for government support, capacity building, and protection for oil palm smallholders.”
He also urged village administrations and relevant government agencies to ensure that all beneficiary data accurately reflect field conditions, emphasizing that reliable information is critical to delivering seed assistance and other government programs effectively while preventing misuse.
Meanwhile, North Konawe Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Chairman Herman Sewani expressed support for the accelerated registration program, describing oil palm as one of the region’s strategic commodities that plays a significant role in driving economic growth and improving rural livelihoods.
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Herman also called for greater attention to long-standing challenges faced by smallholders, including issues related to forest land status, while ensuring that such constraints do not hinder efforts to improve productivity and farmer welfare.
Through the accelerated implementation of STDB registration and ISPO certification, the North Konawe administration aims to strengthen the legal standing of independent oil palm growers, expand their access to government development programs, and enhance the competitiveness of the region’s palm oil industry. The initiative is also expected to support the development of a more sustainable palm oil sector that delivers broader economic benefits to local communities. (P2)
