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Presenting a compelling case for balancing commodity production with forest conservation, sustainable livelihoods and the welfare of people at scale.

Presenting a compelling case for balancing commodity production with forest conservation, sustainable livelihoods and the welfare of people at scale.

Riau Landscape, Indonesia

Presenting a compelling case for balancing commodity production with forest conservation, sustainable livelihoods and the welfare of people at scale.

Riau is a crucial province for agricultural commodity production: approximately 2.5 million ha of oil palm and 2 million ha of pulp & paper. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, and its smallholder oil palm plantations involve more than 2.3 million farmers. Riau is the largest palm-oil-producing province in Indonesia, and yet roughly 80% of the agricultural workforce is informal. Over 1.6 million smallholder farmers face challenges related to low productivity, poor seed stock, income volatility, and food insecurity. There are ongoing efforts from many actors to improve their practices (FoKSBI, SPKS, RSPO).

Protected areas – such as nature reserves and national parks – remain under threat from continued exploitation by the palm oil and paper industries as well as smallholders and communities seeking to make a living. Whilst there are several commitments and efforts carried out by local governments, supported by central governments, nevertheless, complexity in the region warrants contribution and collaboration from various actors, including the work Earthworm Foundation does in the landscape.

Key objectives (for 2025)

Supply Chain Transformation

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Forest protection

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Resilient Farmers

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Workers & Families

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Community rights

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Impacts to date

2 Collective-Action Plans (CAPs) were approved in 2022 by district governments, NGOs, companies, villages, and educational institutions. These CAPs oversee about 75,863 Ha of forest and map smallholder plantations in forest zones.

9,668 ha of forest areas protected outside concession- That’s 16% of our 2025 outcomes.

914 farmers adopt Good Agricultural and Best Management Practices, 642 ha replanted by 321 farmers. 11,662 workers were indirectly impacted through direct work with 16 companies. 3 at-risk communities have developed effective conflict resolution systems

Our work is supported by

Civil society
Engaging local actors, providing capacity building and training and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Government
Providing the human resources and operational framework to support the protection of forests and protected areas.

The private sector
Implementing NDPE commitments in their supply chains & participating in landscape-level transformation activities.

Associated Funders

  • Reckitt
  • J&J
  • LMVH
  • PZ Cussons

Contributor

  • Colgate-Palmolive
  • Nestle
  • Target

Field Partners

  • Pelalawan district Government
  • Siak district Government
  • SBP
  • Palm Oil Mill & Plantation
  • SMKN 1 High School
  • Pangkalan Kuras
  • MAS
  • Palm Oil Mill
  • Tani Center - IPB
  • APRIL Group

Our field team

Yulia Hardini

Landscapes Lead

Kasmujiono

Forest Manager

Tri Agus Sugiyanto

GIS Specialist

Mohammed Khotim

Social and Engagement Manager

Muhammad Bintoro

Riau Landscape Manager

Erwin Andri Kirstanto

Livelihood Manager

Riau is one of the key ecosystems where Earthworm Foundation works through its landscapes approach.

Commodities in Riau

Click on the icons to learn more about Earthworm's work on the commodity:

News & Stories

Aug 18, 2023

Earthworm foundation collaborates with leading brands to boost sustainable agriculture in Indonesia