Independent Palm Oil Farmers Excluded from Sustainable Market, Finds Study

A recent study has uncovered that independent palm oil farmers in Indonesia are being unintentionally excluded from supply chains connected to sustainably certified mills. The research, led by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa scientist, highlights the challenges faced by these farmers in accessing sustainable markets. Despite their efforts to adhere to sustainable practices, many independent palm oil growers are finding it difficult to link up with the certified mills within the supply chain. The study sheds light on the disparities present in the palm oil industry, with smaller farmers inadvertently being excluded from participating in sustainable initiatives.