Musim Mas, Nestlé, and AAK have extended their collaboration for a fourth consecutive year to advance sustainable palm oil practices and support independent smallholders in Aceh Subulussalam. The partnership, anchored by the Subulussalam Smallholders Hub and led by Musim Mas, focuses on equipping small-scale farmers with the tools, training, and technical support needed to meet international sustainability standards and improve livelihoods.

Since its launch in 2021, the program has surpassed its initial goals, reaching 1,581 smallholders and training 117 Village Extension Officers (VEOs)—community-based educators who deliver ongoing agronomic support. The 2025 phase aims to expand these efforts with the addition of 500 more smallholders and 20 VEOs, reinforcing the program’s long-term impact on rural development and landscape-level sustainability.

New training modules introduced in the upcoming cycle reflect a shift toward more holistic community empowerment. These include targeted programs on women’s nutrition and financial empowerment, youth engagement initiatives focused on sustainable farming and market dynamics, and a financial literacy track designed to help farmers plan for future replanting cycles. The curriculum continues to align with Indonesia’s ISPO certification standards, further supporting regulatory readiness.

A key area of focus in the renewed partnership is preparing smallholders for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). By strengthening traceability systems, enhancing knowledge of NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) practices, and promoting regenerative agricultural methods such as home composting, the initiative equips farmers to adapt to evolving market expectations and retain access to global supply chains.

This extended partnership underscores a shared commitment by Musim Mas, Nestlé, and AAK to drive inclusive transformation across the palm oil value chain. Through localized training, community capacity-building, and strategic alignment with global regulatory trends, the program continues to serve as a model for collaborative sustainability in one of the world’s most complex agricultural sectors.