InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – A total of 307 independent oil palm Smallholders in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, have officially received their first-ever Plantation Registration Certificates (STDB), marking an important step toward strengthening traceability and sustainable palm oil governance.
The STDB document is a mandatory requirement for oil palm growers managing plantations of less than 25 hectares. It supports farmer registration, supply chain traceability, and compliance with sustainable plantation standards, including Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.
The issuance of the certificates resulted from a collaboration between Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food and supplier partner PT Amal Tani through the Sawit Terampil program launched in 2024.
The initiative focuses on improving farmer capacity through training in good agricultural practices, field assistance, plantation mapping, and administrative support for STDB applications.
The program is also part of a broader collaboration involving IDH, Mondelēz International, and Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food under the Sustainable Palm Oil Landscape Initiative in Aceh and North Sumatra.
The initiative receives support from the Dutch and British governments through the National Initiatives for Sustainable Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) program.
Head of Smallholders Innovations Department at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, Helena Delima Lumban Gaol, stated that assistance in obtaining STDB certification is a key component in building a more inclusive and transparent palm oil supply chain.
“Through Sawit Terampil, we are committed to building a more inclusive and transparent supply chain. Assistance in the STDB acquisition process not only helps farmers meet administrative requirements but also strengthens their position within the sustainable palm oil ecosystem,” Helena said in an official statement received by InfoSAWIT on Monday.
Since 2022, the Sawit Terampil program has reached 4,776 independent Smallholders in Langkat Regency. Of that number, around 1,550 farmers are part of PT Amal Tani’s supply chain and have received intensive support in plantation management and administrative processes.
PT Amal Tani General Manager Darul Iman Hutabarat said the assistance program has delivered positive impacts for both farmers and the company, particularly in strengthening readiness toward ISPO certification.
Meanwhile, Langkat Agriculture and Food Security Agency Secretary Rizal Gunawan Gultom emphasized that STDB is not proof of land ownership legality, but rather an official document confirming farmers are registered with the regional government as oil palm growers.
Going forward, stakeholders hope the achievement will encourage more independent Smallholders to obtain STDB certification while strengthening sustainable palm oil practices at the field level.
Beyond administrative compliance, continuous assistance is also expected to improve farmer capacity, enhance plantation governance, and expand access to financing and business development opportunities.
With verification processes still ongoing, the number of farmers receiving STDB certification is expected to continue growing, further expanding Smallholder participation in an inclusive and traceable palm oil supply chain. (T2)
