Indonesia - South Tapanuli (North Sumatra), Pelalawan (Riau), Sintang (West Kalimantan)

Indonesia is home to 10-15 percent of all known plants, mammals and birds on the planet. Tropical rainforest ecosystems are scattered across the country. These ecosystems house an extraordinary array of biodiversity and wildlife, including rare and endangered species, such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Maleo birds and Javan rhinoceros. Indigenous groups practice sacred rituals in these forests that are central to their societies.

Meanwhile, small and large-scale oil palm plantations are a significant contribution to the country’s economy, making Indonesia the world’s largest producer of palm oil. Smallholder oil palm plantations in the country generate income for more than 2.6 million farmers. However, palm oil production expansion without proper monitoring and strict enforcement of spatial planning results in forested areas threatened by land use change and degradation.

UNDP, through the Good Growth Partnership has been working concurrently at national and landscape level since 2017, in the following districts and provinces: South Tapanuli (North Sumatra), Pelalawan (Riau), Sintang (West Kalimantan). 

Key results achieved:

• • Further to the support provided for the drafting, legalization and implementation of the National Action Plan for Sustainable Palm Oil, in an effort to support its application, 6 subnational multi-stakeholder platforms were established and/or strengthened, and 6 subnational action plans were also developed (provinces of Riau, West Kalimantan, North Sumatra; districts of Pelalawan, Sintang and South Tapanuli). This movement now goes beyond these landscapes with so far the replication of platforms and action plans in up to 14 other provinces and districts and allowing stakeholders to come together to work collaboratively to find solutions and address challenges hindering sustainable palm oil development in the region.
  • Supported the drafting of the Pelalawan Smallholders Support Strategy, together with the development of a strategy at national level, which then evolved in the development the “Minister Decree on the Guideline to Strengthen Private and Independent Extension Service for Smallholders”. A pilot training in the districts of South Tapanuli, Pelalawan and Sintang was held to demonstrate to local stakeholders (2,752 farmers (697 in South Tapanuli, 116 in Sintang and 1,939 in Pelalawan) how to increase adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, in close collaboration with private sector actors
  • The development of farmers support strategies led to 3 related regulations developed and adopted in Indonesia including 2 in the district of Pelalawan (CSR and Partnerships) and 1 at the national level (Extension Services agents). In Pelalawan, companies´ contributions to the government development agenda (including sustainable palm oil) have increased through alignment of their CSR  (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds with local government. Also, a total of 10 companies have entered into a partnership with smallholders for improved access to inputs and capacity strengthening towards sustainable palm oil production under the framework of the Pelalawan Partnership regulation. This is expected to lead to systemic change as extension service agents replicate training with public and private sector support.
  • Supported the development of 3 High Conservation Value / High Carbon Stock regulations in the area of Pelalawan, Sintang District, and South Tapanali, which resulted in 173,190 hectares of areas protected, and 11.1 million tons of direct CO2 emissions avoided.
  • 3 districts’ smallholder palm oil supply chains (in Sintang, Pelalawan and South Tapanuli Districts) mapped to retailers in major Indonesian cities.

Learn more about UNDP work through GGP webpage