88 Independent Oil Palm Smallholders in South Kalimantan Undergo Human Resource Training

The Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) has demonstrated its commitment to building a sustainable palm oil industry by organising an Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) training programme. This activity is the result of a collaboration between BPDP and PT Forestcitra Sejahtera (Mutu Institute), held from 15 to 20 July 2026 at the Hotel Rattan Inn in South Kalimantan. Wahyu Riyadi, Director of PT Forestcitra Sejahtera (Mutu Institute), stated that the training was designed to address real needs on the ground. “Improving human resource capacity is key so that smallholders are not only able to follow regulations, but also obtain tangible benefits from implementing sustainability standards,” he said. According to Wahyu, the ISPO Implementation Training not only enhances the competence of smallholders, but is also part of a major effort to build a stronger, more orderly, and sustainable future for smallholder palm oil. “Well-managed palm oil can provide significant economic benefits for growers, create jobs, support regional development, and meet the needs of various sectors,” Wahyu noted. “Therefore, palm oil needs to be viewed fairly as a high-value commodity that provides broad benefits to society,” he added. The training, titled ISPO Implementation, was attended by 88 independent oil palm smallholders from Tanah Laut Regency and Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan. The material presented related to ISPO principles and criteria, plantation legality, good cultivation practices, environmental management, farmer institutions, and productivity enhancement. The training aimed to improve smallholders’ understanding of ISPO certification standards and strengthen their ability to manage plantations legally, productively, orderly, and sustainably. The ISPO training was officially opened by the Head of the Plantation and Livestock Service of South Kalimantan Province, Suparmi. In his speech, Suparmi emphasised that ISPO must be understood as an important instrument for strengthening the position of independent oil palm smallholders in the global market. He added that adequate knowledge will help growers meet sustainability requirements, improve plantation governance, and increase the competitiveness of plantation products. “This training is expected to equip smallholders to be more ready to implement ISPO principles on their respective plantations,” he said. During the six-day training, participants followed a learning process designed to be easily understood and directly applicable on their own plantations. The presence of farmers from Tanah Laut and Tanah Bumbu shows a growing spirit to improve smallholder palm oil governance in South Kalimantan. This activity also served as a space for sharing experiences, building awareness, and strengthening a shared commitment to managing palm oil responsibly. Through this activity, participants not only learned about technical and administrative aspects, but also understood the importance of sustainability-oriented plantation governance.