According to a new study conducted by the Center for International Forestry Research and Global Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in four districts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, a jurisdictional approach (JA) has the potential to improve national and district in Indonesia on the sustainability of oil palm plantations. . The work also highlights the benefits of involving local governments in steering the application of research and development.
Given the important role of palm oil in the Indonesian economy, which encompasses large and small producers, the adoption of a JA can help mitigate the negative effects of palm plantation activities, improve governance natural forests, curb deforestation and stimulate the production of fresh palm oil. bunches of fruit for sale. The JA initiative in Indonesia involves actors vertically at different levels and horizontally across jurisdictions at the same level.
During a national workshop and dialogue organized by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) on October 12, 2023 at the CIFOR-ICRAF headquarters in Bogor, senior scientist Herry Purnomo noted that only 21 percent of the Palm oil in Indonesia is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Development. Palm Oil (RSPO), and that JA could help increase this figure.
“JAs can address some of the key issues associated with a project-based approach, including leakage, additionality, permanence, social safeguards, exclusion from certification, externality and benefit sharing,” Purnomo said. Furthermore, he said the approach aligns well with Article 28, paragraph 33 of the Indonesian Constitution, ensuring that natural resources are used for the prosperity of the people.
In Jurisdictional Programs (JP), all stakeholders collaboratively design the Theory of Change (ToC), Theory of Action (ToA) and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF). Lessons learned vary by district. As Sonya Dewi, senior landscape ecologist at CIFOR-ICRAF, explains, “JAs can improve global governance based on the principles of inclusiveness, integration and information.”
The research focused on four districts: Pelalawan (Riau province), Sintang (West Kalimantan province), Pulang Pisau (Central Kalimantan province) and Kutai Kartanegara (East Kalimantan province). The district selection criteria included palm plantation area, forest area, deforestation risk, peatland area, JA progress and CIFOR-ICRAF experience in this area. The initiative involved 43 organizations in collaboration with governments, civil society and producers.
Purnomo shared her key findings, highlighting that JA and ToC facilitate taking into account the voices and interests of multiple stakeholders, understanding local contexts and challenges, defining common goals, articulating change , improving participation and promoting collaboration. “JAs aim to address social, production, legality and environmental issues, encompassing land issues, supply chain challenges, land conflicts and overlapping land use and interests,” did he declare.
Ade Muhammad Iswadi, Secretary General of the Sintang Civil Society Communication Forum (FKMS), detailed the ToC, ToA and MEF process in the JPs, which focuses on data amplification, capacity building of planters, environmental governance, management of land disputes, Indonesian sustainable development. Implementation of ISPO (Palm Oil System) certification and access to the palm products market. Challenges in Sintang include human resource competence, weak partnerships, low profit sharing, unclear distribution channels for palm products, and difficulties in securing investor commitment. Iswadi highlighted the urgency of human resource empowerment, given the influence of smallholders on broader success.
Hendrik Segah, senior researcher at Palangkaraya University, described the implementation of JA in Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) district, including its aim to reduce land clearing and enhance biodiversity, boost chain management supply and improve the livelihoods of people living around the plantations.
Okto Yugo Setyo, vice-coordinator of the Riau Forest Protection Network (Jikalahari), highlighted the challenges faced in Pelalawan district, including lack of data on palm plantations, coordination between intergovernmental agencies, infrastructure investors, access to capital for smallholders, and monitoring and governance of compliance with laws by companies.
“The Joint Program is designed to provide solutions to all these challenges, such as optimizing smallholder data, improving financial knowledge, accelerating the implementation of the One Map policy, etc. “, did he declare. The process involves 12 stakeholders from government, the private sector, small farmers and civil society. Forum Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan Indonesia (FoKSBI, The Indonesia Palm Oil Platform) is the driving force behind the implementation of JA for forest conservation and sustainable commodity development in the district.
In Pulang Pisau, FoKSBI also contributes to the achievement of sustainability goals by addressing land conflicts, limitations in skilled human resources, financial constraints, environmental pressures and challenges arising from decentralization policies. Participants agreed that to achieve JA goals, the central government must provide incentives to districts. It is also important to balance local and national finances through equitable profit sharing.
Marcello de Maria, expert in science, policy and decision-making at the University of Reading, provided a comparative perspective by sharing his experiences in JA for Soy Sustainability in Brazil. The challenges faced in Brazil echo those of Indonesia’s palm plantation sector, including issues with land tenure, lack of harmonization and inadequate rules on sustainability standards.
“For harmonization and integration, we need participation, democratic decision-making, clear rules and governance that represents all stakeholders,” he said.
Thanks
This research is funded by the Walmart Foundation.
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