The sustainability of palm oil farming by certified independent smallholders in Jambi

Introduction Palm oil plantation certification is important in promoting sustainable practices, but its implementation among independent smallholders often faces obstacles. Suboptimal readiness, limited insight, knowledge, human resources, and audit costs cause some stallholders to view certification, whether Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) or Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), as merely an administrative obligation. This study aims to assess the sustainability level of smallholder oil palm plantation certification systems in three districts in Jambi Province, namely Batanghari District (ISPO-certified group), Tanjung Jabung Barat District (RSPO-certified group), and Merangin District (ISPO and RSPO-certified group). Methods The research sample consisted of 225 smallholder’s selected using multistage random sampling. Sustainability analysis was conducted using the Rapfish method across five dimensions of sustainability. Results The results of the study showed differences in sustainability levels between locations. Batanghari Regency, represented by KUD Mutiara Bumi, scored 65.88 (fair category), Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency, represented by FPS–MRM, scored 78.10 (good category), and Merangin Regency, represented by Gapoktan Tanjung Sehati, scored 90.55 (very good category). The economic dimension was the lowest aspect, followed by the institutional dimension, making both priorities for improvement. Discussion These findings confirm that the sustainability of certification depends on formal compliance and on strengthening smallholder capacity, economic support, group institutions, and multistakeholder collaboration. The practical implication is that an integrated strategy covering economic incentives, audit cost facilitation, and strengthening of smallholder organizations is needed to ensure that ISPO/RSPO certification is sustainable and provides tangible benefits for independent smallholders.