InfoSAWIT JAKARTA – Musim Mas Group, one of the largest integrated palm oil companies in the world, has successfully facilitated the sale of RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) credits worth Rp 20 billion for six independent farmer associations they support.
These six associations are part of the Musim Mas Initiated Palm Oil Farmers Association (GAPSIMA) and are located in North Sumatra, Riau, and Kalimantan. With a total of 4,654 members managing 11,173 hectares of land, these associations have achieved a significant milestone by having all their members certified by RSPO this year.
The RSPO certification program provides independent palm oil farmers with incentives in the form of premiums for their efforts in implementing sustainable practices. The credit sales transaction was conducted through the RSPO PalmTrace platform, a market and traceability system for RSPO-certified palm oil products. Musim Mas, in its role as a facilitator, bridged the sale of these credits to partner companies, including Nestlé, one of the main partners.
Rob Nicholls, General Manager of Projects & Programs at Musim Mas Group, explained that since 2020, the company has facilitated RSPO credit sales totaling Rp 59 billion. "This year, we successfully assisted in sales worth Rp 20 billion. We are very pleased that the proceeds from these sales can be utilized by independent farmers to improve their welfare," he stated in an official statement quoted by InfoSAWIT on Friday, December 14, 2024.
The funds from these credit sales provide significant benefits for association members. GAPSIMA Chairman Syahrianto revealed that part of the funds is used for association operations, such as training, fertilizer procurement, health checks, audits, and capacity building for management. "Some of the funds are also distributed directly to members as additional capital for farm maintenance. We are also enhancing the welfare of members by registering them with the Employment BPJS and providing social assistance," Syahrianto explained.
Musim Mas has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through its Independent Farmers Empowerment Program, which has been in place since 2015. This program not only provides training but also encourages farmers to form groups, a crucial step for obtaining certifications such as RSPO and ISPO. Currently, the six associations supported by Musim Mas have legal status, including the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra; the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Negeri Seribu Kubah, Riau; the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Pelalawan Siak, Riau; the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Rokan Hulu, Riau; the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Mitra Sambas Jaya, West Kalimantan; and the Independent Palm Oil Farmers Association of Trahayu Barito Utara, Central Kalimantan. (T2)
