Smallholder Programs

Smallholder farmers account for roughly 40% of our palm oil supply. We promote the inclusion of smallholders in our supply chain and improvement of their livelihoods. Our approach includes:

• Collaboration with mills in our supply chain – We include smallholders in our high-priority mill field assessments and provide support to help mills deliver on their smallholder transformation plans. We develop tools to empower farmers through new technologies, training, access to fertilization and other resources.
• Landscape-level programs – We participate in programs focused on building smallholder capacity and promoting responsible farm development. These projects improve smallholder livelihoods and inclusion in three ways. First, through farmer training on business skills, good agricultural, environmental and social practices. Second, through farm development, including replanting, access to inputs and crop diversification. And third, by partnering with suppliers on strategic programs focused on helping smallholder farmers achieve RSPO certification, which results in higher yields, better access to markets, increased profitability and more reliable income streams.

Examples of smallholder engagement programs include:

• In Malaysia, we work with Wild Asia, Tian Siang Air Kuning Palm Oil Mill and a fresh fruit bunches dealer in Air Kuning, Perak to help smallholders achieve RSPO certification.
• In the Brazilian state of Pará, Cargill is working with our palm oil supplier Biopalma, the Earthworm Foundation and others to support the Rurality project to help smallholder farmers improve productivity, achieve NDPE compliance and a better quality of life.
• In Guatemala, Cargill’s alliance with Solidaridad and palm supplier Palmas del Ixcán helps smallholders from the regions of Ixcán and Quiché implement good agricultural practices – including use of a phone application that facilitates traceability, self-assessment and training – and achieve RSPO certification. Learn more.
• At Cargill’s plantations in Indonesia, we contract with smallholder farmers and provide support through smallholder empowerment programs to help them achieve RSPO and International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certification.

Measuring our performance

We measure our progress against the following key performance indicators:

• Number of farmers certified in a Cargill program
• Number of farmers preparing to attain certification in a Cargill program
• Number of mills which performed an assessment of their smallholders supply base and engage smallholders in sustainable practices
• Projects aiming to improve farmer livelihoods