The Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association Guided by PT Sawit Sumbermas Sarana Tbk Do RSPO Certification

PT. Sawit Sumbermas Sarana (SSMS) Tbk. incorporated in the independent oil palm farmer association is carrying out the RSPO certification process.
 

The activity was carried out for four days, starting on September 18, 2019, in two villages is Kadipi Atas (KUD Karya Sari) and Sungai Rangit Jaya (Tani Usaha Mandiri Group).
 

This is because SSMS considers that the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification is not only intended for large companies. So through the smallholder certification program, SSMS seeks to encourage independent palm oil farmers to obtain RSPO certification.
 

Plt Head of Sustainability, Rudy Hendrarto said, SSMS started preparing this certification program in 2017. The main objective of this program is to encourage the empowerment of oil palm farmers in managing environmentally friendly and sustainable oil palm plantations.
 

 "Since 2017, SSMS has begun to prepare this program with the hope of increasing farmers' incomes through improving the quality and production of FFB. So that in the end, this program is able to provide sustainable welfare to oil palm farmers, "said Rudy in Pangkalan Bun, on Monday (09/23/2019).
 

So far, SSMS has succeeded in embracing 340 oil palm farmers from villages around the company. Gradually, the company has prepared them for RSPO certification through continuous technical assistance and guidance.
 

"During 2018 we have conducted socialization to farmers. In addition, we also provide facilitators to provide training related to RSPO principles and criteria (P&C) towards certification, "said Rudy.
 

And, the farmer and management of the Indonesian Palm Farmers Association (APKASINDO), Widodo (49) welcomed the RSPO certification program.

 
"As farmers we are very enthusiastic about this program. We have felt many positive impacts, one of which is the importance of using APD for work safety, "said Widodo.
 

He also hopes that the final assessment of the RSPO certification will succes and produce scores in line with expectations. So they can become certified farmers later.
 

"This program also makes us more aware of the importance of good and environmentally friendly management in order to sustainable. Hopefully this certification assessment process runs smoothly and farmers who follow this process can get good grades, so they can pass and get the RSPO certificate, "he added.