InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Asian Agri has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable palm oil development by distributing approximately Rp5.5 billion in certification premiums through its Certified Palm Oil Premium Sharing Programme 2024, benefiting smallholder farmers in Riau and Jambi.
The appreciation event for farmers and cooperatives was held in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, in late December 2025. The program reached 76 village cooperatives (KUDs) and directly supported more than 30,000 plasma and partnership scheme smallholders.
Rudy Rismanto, Head of Partnership at Asian Agri, said Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification is essential for expanding market access for smallholder-produced palm oil.
“Through RSPO certification, palm oil produced by our partner farmers can access global markets, including Europe, which requires sustainable products,” Rudy said, as reported by Media OutReach Newswire on Thursday (1/1/2026). He added that the premiums are reinvested to boost productivity, improve infrastructure, strengthen cooperatives, and support alternative income sources.
Rismanto stressed that Asian Agri’s sustainability approach goes beyond environmental aspects, encompassing social and economic impacts. “We want sustainable practices to translate into tangible improvements in farmers’ livelihoods. Sustainability and prosperity must grow together,” he said.
Cooperatives have felt the direct benefits. Subiyono, Chairman of KUD Karya Bersama, said the funds helped strengthen cooperative operations. In 2026, the cooperative plans to allocate premiums to repair and maintain plantation roads used for transporting fresh fruit bunches to mills.
KUD Karya Bersama is also implementing a replanting program with Asian Agri. Replanted palms now aged 49 months have reached an average productivity of two tons per hectare per month.
Meanwhile, Waluyo, Chairman of KUD Makmur Rezeki, said the premiums are being used to reinforce institutional capacity and environmentally friendly practices, including warehouse upgrades, road improvements, provision of personal protective equipment, and installation of owl houses for natural pest control.
Through the program, Asian Agri—part of Royal Golden Eagle—underscored its long-term investment in farmer and cooperative resilience to ensure sustainable palm oil development delivers lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits. (T2)
