“My main difficulty was splitting my time between managing my farm and also taking care of my family along with managing finances”.
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Photo Credit: RSPO/Asosiasi Pekebun Swadaya Kelapa Sawit Negeri Seribu Kubah
THE STORY OF RATNAWATI
from Striving to thriving, As
a smallholder
Ratnawati, a mother of four, has been an independent smallholder in Riau, Indonesia since 2000. When asked about how she felt juggling both motherhood and oil palm farming, Ratnawati answered, “My main difficulty was splitting my time between managing my farm and also taking care of my family along with managing finances”.
Without knowing how to apply proper planting methods, Ratnawati wasn’t making enough to support her family despite all her time, effort, and hard work. “My lack of knowledge about good agricultural practices had resulted in high management costs, which impacted my family’s finances, such as a lack of education funds for my children,” she explained.
The turning point in Ratnawati’s life happened in 2016 when she was given the opportunity to join a smallholder initiative. Although she initially had concerns, she changed her mind after her eldest son, a field assistant, provided her with a different perspective. “I thought, why not? The only requirement was to form a group with other farmers in my neighbourhood and attend the training, I had nothing to lose,” Ratnawati finally decided.
“The most important lessons I obtained from RSPO training and certification are good agricultural practices such as the optimal methods of applying fertiliser and harvesting fresh fruit bunches, integrated pest management and farm management,” said Ratnawati. “I also participated in financial literacy and biodiversity management training.”
Smallholders achieving more together
Ratnawati soon gained competency in the knowledge of farming, as well as financial management and even stepped up as the treasurer of her association in 2019.
In her personal message to women farmers, Ratnawati explains, “I want to inspire other women and mothers who share the same challenges and aspirations as smallholders. You shouldn’t hesitate and be apprehensive about joining a farmer association. I have learned many great things from joining an association, from good agricultural practices to financial literacy that helps to increase my farm’s yields and improve my family’s livelihood.”
“I want to inspire other women and mothers who share the same challenges and aspirations as smallholders.”
“Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we received our RSPO certification in 2020. In early 2021, we received the first payment from selling our RSPO Credits,” Ratnawati emphasised, highlighting how her association of smallholders was able to achieve more together.
RSPO Credits have significantly benefited the every smallholder, including Ratnawati, by providing funds for:
- Training costs,
- Office inventory such as GPS trackers and mobile phones,
- Payroll for members and workers,
- Farm management, and
- Savings to boost the association’s capital
TAKE THE PLEDGE
50% of our everyday use products contain palm oil. In Malaysia and Indonesia, smallholders contribute 40% of the palm oil production.
As consumers, your pledge, along with your daily purchasing habits can encourage sustainable practices across this supply chain!
PROVIDE SUPPORT AS AN ORGANISATION
This smallholder initiative was provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group and Musim Mas, who formed the Indonesian Palm Oil Development for Smallholders (IPO).
As an organisation, you have the same opportunity to partner with RSPO to make a lasting impact!
ARE YOU A SMALLHOLDER LIKE RATNAWATI?
If you’re struggling to gain training, and support as a farmer, we would love to connect with you.
Learn how you can gain farming knowledge, financial training, and the benefits of certification as a smallholder, just like Ratnawati.
