Smallholders

Smallholder Task Force (STF)

During the development of the RSPO Principles & Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production ( P&C ), it was quickly recognised that smallholder producers, who make up roughly 30% of palm production in Indonesia for instance would need special attention when drawing up the P&C specifically for this sub-sector's use.

The smallholder palm oil producer sector defies definition in terms of size and operations, and discussions on defining what are smallholders have historically brought into the argument more variables and differences than convergence. While at national level, producers like Malaysia have taken a step at drawing a line between smallholder and plantation growers through a size measurement (the rule of thumb is holdings below 40ha are considered smallholders, and started by the British colonial administrators in the 1930s in recognition of the increasing role of smallholders). The picture in the next largest grower, Indonesia in contrast has links between national and regional players. Organisations like APKASINDO (or Indonesian Oil Palm Growers Association) represents a major link to regional smallholder groupings, while regional or Kebupaten level government apparatuses also maintain strong links to individual farmers and smallholders.

However, smallholder producers require attention when developing a definition and measurement for sustainability. Within the distinct circumstances of smallholders in various regions, the need to develop new or adapt the P&C becomes critical for smallholders' becoming sustainable palm oil producers. At the 2nd General Assembly (GA2), a motion was tabled by SawitWatch, Migros, The Body Shop, New Britain Palm Oil Ltd. and WWF-Switzerland for the formation of a Smallholder Taskforce (STF) "to be led by the social members of the Executive Board of the RSPO, in open and transparent collaboration with all other RSPO members and Executive Board members, and which should encourage the maximum possible engagement of smallholders, smallholders' organisations, extensions services and growers' associations."

The activities proposed in this motion include:

• Ensuring RSPO materials are translated into the major national languages of the main countries with smallholders engaged in oil palm cultivation;
• Executing diagnostic surveys of smallholder situations and views;
• Executing activities and document trials of the application of the P&C with smallholders in order to test the suitability of the P&C and verification procedures and to suggest modifications to better suit smallholders interests, without compromising the goals of the RSPO;
• Holding open consultations during the pilot phase with the fullest possible participation of smallholder representatives on the RSPO P&C;
• Providing regular reports on all activities and progress made to the RSPO Secretariat  and RSPO Executive Board;
• Raising funds for these activities.

The motion was accepted and now the need for the formation of the STF will need to be carried out.

Download Minutes of the STF kick-off meeting held on 22 February 2006 [54 KB]