SEnSOR (Socially and Environmentally Sustainable Oil Palm Research; 2015 - 2021)

The SEnSOR programme is investigating sustainability of the palm oil sector in three main areas: Biodiversity, Environment (including soil, water and greenhouse gases) and Society (including community and labour rights, and livelihoods). The programme is facilitated by the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) and funded by the RSPO.  

Wageningen University, Van Hall Larenstein and the different Indonesian NGOs and universities investigate which factors can explain the likeliness of smallholders to being certified. Past research focused on identification of constraints, costs and benefits  to certification, and motives of smallholders to expand or intensify, all in Indonesia. Current research focuses on heterogeneity among independent oil palm smallholders in Central Kalimantan. We examine pre and post certification conditions of different types of independent oil palm smallholders in relation to their socio-economic background, plantation management and yield, and ecosystems services in and around smallholders’ plantations, to understand how this shapes their prospects for sustainability certification. By obtaining a better understanding of what characteristics enable certification, and which groups are likely to be left behind, we can better understand the impact that RSPO is having on improving livelihoods and sustainable production for smallholders, and identify what can be done to improve engagement with those groups who are not currently likely to undergo certification. 

Project output:

• Website: sensorproject.net
• Report: Outcomes of RSPO certification for independent smallholders in Central Kalimantan (2019)
• Report: Impact of RSPO certification on ecosystem services in oil palm smallholdings (2019)
• Report: Is RSPO certification having an impact on smallholders' decisions to expand or intensify? (2018)
• Report: Cost and benefits of certification for independent smallholders (2016)
• Report: Barriers to smallholder RSPO certification (2016)
• Report: Implementation of FPIC. Does this reduce conflict? (2016)
• Presentation: Intercropping in oil palm plantations in Central Kalimantan (2019)
• Presentation: Impacts of RSPO certification on land-use planning by smallholders (2018)
• Presentation: Opportunities and constraints to improving smallholder income (2015)
• Presentation: Knowledge gaps and research priorities for assessing the effectiveness of RSPO P&C (2013)
• MSc thesis: Analyzing decision-making process of smallholders for intensification or expansion (2018)