InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Since Smallholder Inclusion for Better Livelihood & Empowerment (SMILE) program has been running, an initiative one among Apical, Asian Agri and palm oil downstream industry – KAO, which was launched in October 2020, the program hit the targets in 2022.
SMILE is a sustainable initiative program that focuses to inclusion which delivers positive impacts for independent smallholders. It successfully creates more inclusive environment for independent smallholders, delivers chances for them to escalate their life quality, triggers others to participate in sustainability.
Independent smallholders in palm oil industries face lots of challenge to escalate their plantation productivity for having limited skills and sources. Not like plasma ones that got technical and financial supports from the companies, independent smallholders always fund and cultivate theirs independently, always struggle to compete in the markets. Without having access of the same sources like the plasma smallholders, independent ones face operational fund support to realize practices of sustainability.
Director Apical Indonesia Operations, Peter Setiabudi said the challenge in sustainability that downstream industries are facing is when the smallholders in Indonesia that reached about 2,74 million families (based on Central Bureau of Statistic, 2020) could be the good partners for many companies, such as, Apical.
“Of course, the way to improve their life quality is by implementing the best practices in plantation and intensification through best management practices which in the end, to realize sustainability,” Peter Setiabudi said when breaking the fast ceremony with some media which InfoSAWIT joined, Monday (3/4/2023) in Jakarta.
Director of Sustainability Apical Group, Bremen Yong said, since SMILE was launched in 2020, it has been delivering the positive impacts for smallholders in this country.
“For Apical, as one big palm oil industries, traceability, certification, and supply chain which are environmental are the most significant factors for the industries. The program delivers advantages for many, and for Apical. We believed we can produce sustainable palm oil,” he said.
In 2022, SMILE audited and certified 390 independent smallholders. They did consist of 239 ones from North Sumatera Province and 151 ones from Jambi Province. The achievement is one realization of commitment to promote sustainable and responsible palm oil plantation practices.
By the close audit and certification process, the program confirmed that independent smallholders are qualified and get sustainable standards. It means, the program would help to protect environment, support local communities, and promote sustainable palm oil business. (T2)
