概要

This paper examines the main barriers smallholders face in gaining Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. The authors reviewed relevant literature, conducted interviews with NGOs and researchers who have implemented smallholder certification projects, and analysed certification and recertification documents written by RSPO's Certification Bodies. Barriers are identified in meeting legal requirements such as the need for a land title, and in motivating smallholders to implement good agricultural, environmental and record keeping practices. The authors conclude that "smallholders need financial, technical and organizational support in order to reach certification. There are several interrelated causes for this need for support, including lack of knowledge of certification and sustainability practices, lack of smallholder organization, notably of independent smallholders, the complexity of some of the RSPO requirements, and lack of incentives to comply. For certification to be of benefit to smallholders, projects should not only focus on complying with the RSPO criteria, but to address the wider challenges smallholders are facing."