In order to support the achievement of certification for independent smallholder, Head of Smallholders Roundatable Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Program, Guntur Cahyo Prabowo, doing a visit to the Karya Serumpun Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association (KS) in Indragiri Hulu, Riau, on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Under Widya Erti Indonesia assistance, at the end of 2021, Karya Serumpun Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association (KS) has succeeded in becoming the first association to obtain RSPO certification in Indragiri Hulu Regency for its 304 member smallholders. As for now, at the end of 2022, as many as 240 additional farmer of KS members have been declared to have passed the audit.
Located at the Karya Serumpun Hall, Seberida Village, Batang Gansal Regency, RSPO visitation agenda was attended by several other groups of independent oil palm farmers such as the Tunas Karya Mandiri Farmers Group Association (TKM) and the Indragiri Gemilang Oil Palm Association (ASAGRI). In order to inflame the enthusiasm of the smallholders to advance in RSPO certification, the visit agenda opened with a presentation of Karya Serumpun’s experience in the certification process.
“Karya Serumpun entity has been formed since 2019 under the guidance of Widya Erti Indonesia. Alhamdulillah, through the process, time after time, we have passed 304 farmers with an area of 584 hectares, then had the first surveillance and passed 240 farmers with an area of 459 hectares and will continue to try to increase the number of commited partner. With this certification, the experience of farmers in the field of agricultural practices will improve well, safety at work, and the FFB produced has greatly increase.” Explained Mr. Juliono, Chairman of the Karya Serumpun Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association in his opening speech.
Not only the presentation of Karya Serumpun’s process, the visit of the RSPO to Indragiri Hulu, Riau also includes a series of activities for farmer group including disclosure training method, a crucial stage in the certification process for independent smallholders. Besides that, during his visit, Mr. Guntur Cahyo Prabowo also gave directions regarding RSPO Strategic Plan.
”Standards for independent oil palm farmers are specific standards that are updated every year to become more reliable and better farmers with a strategy that targets three targets, first how to improve the livelihoods of oil palm smallholders to be better, second to ensure agricultural practices use better standards, and the third is that farmers have good market access.” Said Mr. Guntur Cahyo Prabowo, Head of RSPO’s Smallholders Program.
During the visit, the RSPO also expressed appreciation to the Karya Serumpun Independent Smallholders Association for their achievements with Widya Erti Indonesia, who in the course of their journey has also become a role model in fostering the interest of other independent oil palm smallholders to take part in RSPO certification, especially in Petalongan Village and Pancur Village, District Kritang, Indragiri Hilir Regency.
The visit was followed by a discussion and hospitality agenda which ended with the handing over of a symbolic certificate by Mr. Guntur Cahyo Prabowo as the Head of the Smallholders Program to Mr. Juliono as the Chairman of the Karya Serumpun Oil Palm Farmers Association.
