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.