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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, Indonesia

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)

Forest protection & regeneration

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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

With companies, local government and communities, we are working to protect 91,687 ha of forest.

Through collaboration with the Riau government, we helped 603 farmers begin to replant 1,104 ha of oil palm plantations

We worked with government agencies and 11 communities on land-use planning and conflict resolution

Our work is supported by:

Associated Funders

  • PZ Cussons
  • LVMH
  • Oleon
  • Reckitt
  • Johnson&Johnson

Contributor

  • Nestlé
  • Colgate Palmolive

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: