Webinar on Best Practices in Health, Gender Equality, and Youth Participation in the Palm Oil Sector and Empowering Farmers to Implement Sustainability Standards

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Advancing sustainable practices and inclusivity is essential for driving impactful change in the palm oil sector. Through insightful panel discussions, participants explored collaborative efforts that underscore the sector’s commitment to creating a more equitable and sustainable future. They also highlighted the transformative potential of multi-stakeholder partnerships to build resilience and competitiveness among Indonesia's smallholder farmers.

Session 1: Best Practices in Health, Gender Equality, and Youth Participation in the Palm Oil Sector

Held on July 31, 2024, via Zoom, the first session gathered 164 participants from 52 organizations, with a notable representation from the palm oil industry and organizations based in North Sumatra. The first session featured two panels. The first panel focused on health policy in North Sumatra, the palm oil revenue-sharing program to increase BPJS health coverage for smallholder plantation workers, and a multi-stakeholder partnership to support child protection, women's workers' rights, and gender equality in the region. The second panel discussed the importance of upholding workers' rights, shareholder commitments to integrate sustainability into business practices, gender equality training, and initiatives to increase women’s and youth participation in the palm oil sector.

Session 2: Collaboration to Enhance the Readiness of Farmers in Aceh and North Sumatra to Implement Sustainability Standards

The second session also had two panels. The first panel addressed the Aceh government’s initiatives to support farmer welfare and sustainability through programs such as accelerating the mapping of farmers and palm oil plantations, ISPO certification, revenue-sharing funds (Dana Bagi Hasil), and the implementation of the Aceh Sustainability Palm Oil Roadmap 2023 - 2045. The panel also discussed tools that could help suppliers meet sustainability standards and how digital solutions can assist farmers with finance, training, and other farm-related activities. In the second panel, speakers shared success stories of multi-stakeholder collaboration that enhanced the competitiveness of the farmer groups. Examples included regenerative agriculture practices by the Kelompok Tani Sawit Gaharu Seratus and sustainable practices from Kelompok Tani Kopi Orangutan Panji Mulia and Pondok Gajah, which resulted in cost efficiency and premium pricing. 

Conclusion

The two webinars, hosted by the Coalition for Sustainable Livelihoods and facilitated by Nectary Sustainability Solutions, were created to deepen the stakeholders' understanding of best practices related to youth participation, gender equality, and health in the palm oil sector. They also addressed key challenges and solutions for implementing sustainability standards. Through these webinars, we aim to strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of the palm oil industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future.