The independent oil palm smallholders of Batu Agung village have been offered support to get certified according to the RSPO and ISPO standards.

The certification process commenced on 5 September 2021 and involved mapping of smallholders, training programs, and supporting farmers to obtain all the necessary legal documents. Farmers were also trained in free and fair work, occupational health and safety, and identification of high conservation value areas.

Farmers in the village belong to a district-level oil palm farmers’ association called the Association of Bahalap Palm Oil Farmers (APKSB), which was established to provide services for all farmers in Seruyan district who wish to be certified. The district farmers’ association aims to reduce the costs of certification by bringing it to scale.

Intervention Details:

• Number of farmers supported: 28 farmers from BUMDes (village-owned enterprises) Sumber Makmur
• Total area: 46.18 ha from BUMDes (village-owned enterprises) Sumber Makmur
  Number of land parcels: 53 land parcels in BUMDes (village-owned enterprises) Sumber Makmur
• Total production (per year): 18 ton per hectare (estimated value; data is still being checked, and the audit process is still ongoing)

Impacts:

• Oil palm farmers have learned good agricultural practices and obtained legal documentation.
• Farmers have adopted good agricultural practices in their oil palm plantations. For instance, they have adopted natural pest management techniques such as using the white buttercup flower (Turnera subulata), which helps eradicate pests in oil palm plantations They also plant hardwood/woody plants in riparian areas, five meters from the river.