In the lush, palm-dotted landscape of Aceh Subulussalam, Indonesia, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place—one rooted in sustainability, resilience, and community. Musim Mas, together with global partners Nestlé and AAK, has announced the renewal of their partnership for a fourth consecutive year, reaffirming their shared commitment to empowering independent oil palm smallholders in the region.

What began in 2021 as a forward-looking initiative to curb deforestation risks and support sustainable farming practices has evolved into a far-reaching program that’s touching lives well beyond its original scope. At the center of this effort is the Subulussalam Smallholders Hub, a community-based training platform launched by Musim Mas. Here, smallholders and Village Extension Officers (VEOs) learn not just the science of oil palm cultivation, but the values of environmental stewardship through the lens of NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

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The numbers speak volumes. In just three years, the program has trained over 1,580 smallholders—well above its initial target—and developed a strong network of 117 VEOs who now serve as on-the-ground mentors and guides. These local champions don’t just deliver knowledge; they build trust, translating complex sustainability standards into everyday farming decisions that protect forests and improve yields.

Building on this momentum, the partnership’s next phase in 2025 will reach an additional 500 smallholders and expand the pool of advanced-trained VEOs by 20 more. These participants will not only deepen their understanding of sustainable practices aligned with Indonesia’s ISPO certification, but also learn new modules like home composting—reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers and promoting circular farming.

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But the vision extends beyond environmental metrics. The renewed collaboration is deeply people-focused. New training will explore financial literacy, youth engagement, and gender inclusion. Women smallholders, already receiving support in nutrition and business management, will now see efforts to engage male family members in building a more inclusive household dynamic. Young people, often overlooked in agricultural planning, will be drawn into conversations about sustainability, equipped with tools and knowledge that speak to their future in farming.

This kind of holistic support is crucial, especially as smallholders prepare for long-term decisions like palm replanting. Financial planning modules will help them navigate these challenges with foresight and confidence—ensuring they remain not only sustainable, but self-sufficient.

With new EU regulations like EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) on the horizon, Musim Mas, Nestlé, and AAK see this program as more than just a sustainability effort—it’s a lifeline. It’s about keeping smallholders in the global supply chain, not leaving them behind. And in a world where traceability and compliance are increasingly non-negotiable, initiatives like this provide real, practical pathways for smallholders to succeed.

Ultimately, this isn’t just a partnership between companies—it’s a growing alliance with farmers, families, and future generations. In Aceh, sustainability is no longer a distant ideal. It’s being built, day by day, with knowledge, community, and care.

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