InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Building the capacity of independent oil palm smallholders requires more than technical expertise, with trust-building and effective communication emerging as equally critical components of successful farmer training, according to trainers involved in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Smallholder Trainer Academy (STA).
As reported by InfoSAWIT from RSPO on Saturday (July 11), Master Trainers participating in the academy agreed that translating complex sustainability standards into practical farming techniques remains one of the greatest challenges in supporting independent smallholders.
Although many trainers possess strong technical backgrounds, they acknowledged that successful capacity building depends largely on interpersonal skills, including understanding local culture, communicating effectively, and encouraging behavioral change among farmers who have often followed traditional practices for decades.
Indonesian Master Trainer Sarjan Alatas said working with independent smallholders requires greater patience and a more tailored approach than working with organized farmer groups.
"Independent smallholders usually require more time, energy, and effort. We also need to adapt our approach to local culture, farmers' characteristics, and the language used in each community," he explained.
To address these challenges, RSPO designed the STA Master Trainer Program to strengthen not only trainers' technical competence but also their ability to deliver knowledge using adult learning methodologies.
The program combines classroom instruction with field mentoring, webinars, peer-to-peer learning through the STA Portal, and continuous coaching, enabling trainers to improve their communication skills and relate sustainability concepts to farmers' daily realities.
Malaysian Master Trainer Nur Syafiqah Syuhadah Tajudin said the training significantly enhanced her ability to communicate with smallholders.
"Since joining the STA Master Trainer Program, I have continuously improved the way I engage with farmers. The learning materials have also strengthened my understanding, making the training much more effective," she said.
Since its launch in 2019, the STA network has trained more than 18,000 oil palm smallholders across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Latin America, and Africa.
RSPO believes the achievement represents more than a numerical milestone, reflecting gradual improvements in farmers' knowledge, plantation management practices, and household livelihoods, while also creating new professional development opportunities for trainers through international networking and recognition.
Looking ahead, RSPO said the academy will focus not only on expanding the number of trainers but also on ensuring that sustainable farming practices are consistently implemented through continuous mentoring, peer learning, and regular evaluation.
According to the organization, the long-term transformation of the palm oil sector depends not only on certification standards and policies but also on trainers capable of translating sustainability principles into practical actions that can be adopted by smallholders. (T2)
