Palm oil is an important source of income to countries in the ‘Global South’. In many of these countries, palm oil accounts for an increasing part of the gross national product, making this crop a driven force for economic development. In fact, more than 3 million smallholders and small-scale farmers make a living from palm oil in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Accordingly, different studies show that the cultivation of this crop has contributed considerably to the improvement of livelihood conditions. Find out below a few examples of how palm oil makes real impact on the ground!
Our EPOA member, Cargill, works closely together with plantations and smallholders in different regions worldwide. In Guatemala, for example, Cargill formed an alliance with Solidaridad and palm supplier Palmas del Ixcán to help 105 smallholder palm farmers from the regions of Ixcán and Quiché implement sustainable agricultural practices and achieve RSPO certification. The objective is to help these farmers improve social, environmental and economic sustainability at their farms and develop a segregated, RSPO-certified supply chain to meet market demand for sustainable oils. The program includes use of a digital application that facilitates traceability, self-assessment and training.
“I can give my family the opportunities they deserve. Two of my children have graduated from college and my youngest is working on the farm alongside me so that he can one day take over.”
Hugo Walter Cruz, palm farmer in Chisec, Guatemala who participates in a sustainable farming program with Cargill, Solidaridad and Palmas del Ixcán
Read more about the sustainable farming program!
Bunge Loders Croklaan, also EPOA member, is committed to increase their impact on the ground by working together with their partners. Through the ILHAM project, Bunge Loders Croklaan supports smallholders in the north-eastern part of Sabah in Malaysia. Just as in other regions globally, smallholders’ yields of fresh fruit bunches differ considerably from those of large estate yields. As such, the ILHAM project aims to reduce this gap and increase income for smallholders by improving yields.
Read more about the project in Malaysia!
Another example of how palm oil creates impact on the ground is the work Olenex (EPOA member) has been carrying out in Colombia. Together with different stakeholders, Olenex has developed a programme to strengthen the knowledge of responsible practices of small and medium palm oil growers from the northern Colombian region. Five mills: Aceites S.A, Palmaceite S.A, Frupalma S.A, Palmagro S.A and Extractora El Roble S.A.S, joined this initiative and support the transfer of knowledge to their smaller palm oil suppliers.
Read more about the programme in Colombia!