Oil planters committed to sustainable practices

KUCHING: The Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (DOPPA) is committed to uphold sustainability in Sarawak as it continues to empower indigenous smallholders and address their crucial concerns.

This was through active collaboration with the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Solidaridad Network through the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NI-SCOPS) programme.

In a statement, DOPPA said its president, Napolean R.Ningkos advocates for smallholders’ rights and highlighted three critical points in the memorandum submitted through Civil Society Organization Solidaridad Network to the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte in Oct 2023, last year.

Among the points presented were to establish an inclusivity quota for palm oil produced by independent smallholders in order to gain preferential access to the EU market, thereby safeguarding livelihoods.

“Secondly, is to align the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards with the EU Deforestation-Fee Regulation (EUDR) requirements to facilitate ongoing compliance and market access for the independent smallholders.

“In addition, to develop a mechanism for carbon farming that includes pre-financing and a guaranteed carbon credit off-take as financial incentives to encourage oil palm independent smallholders to practice,” the statement read.

Ningkos highlighted the significance of these sustainable efforts, recognising oil palm’s pivotal role in the livelihoods of Sarawak’s indigenous communities.

“DOPPA remains dedicated to addressing smallholders’ challenges through collaborative efforts with like-minded stakeholders.

“Collaborative work between DOPPA and Solidaridad had indicated positive outcomes such as increased farmers income, improved living standards, enhanced sustainability and educational opportunities for smallholders,” he said.

In the same statement, the association highlighted challenges in the industry including climate change impact, rising farm input costs, and difficulties to access global markets, which had become the main focus for DOPPA’s engagement with the Malaysian and Dutch governments.

“The association seeks support for sustainable interventions, advocating for the acceptance of MSPO 2.0 for smallholders to comply with EU regulations, and financial backing for adopting Climate Smart or Regenerative Agriculture practices.

“As DOPPA maintains its sustainable focus, ongoing support from governments, MPOB, and Solidaridad Network is crucial for making a meaningful impact on sustainability and empowering Sarawak’s indigenous smallholders in the oil palm industry,” the association added.