Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise

“In the past, growers let nature take its course when growing palm trees. No matter what insights others might offer, the growers insisted that they have cultivated palm trees for a long time and they already knew all they needed to know.” 

Surasit Pisedsin 

Chairman of Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise for sustainable palm oil

……

“We decided to join because we wanted to improve the quality and sustainability of our palm plantations. At first, we frequently had price conflicts with the factories, but once the group was formed, we were able to resolve the issue,” Chairman Surasit expressed.   

“Since then, growers have begun to notice significant benefits. For instance, experts came to provide technical education on farm management, such as optimal fertiliser use, harvesting methods and documentation of farm records. Smallholders used to cultivate in traditional, family-style methods. However, they are now adapting to a more systematic way of working by recording expenditures and revenues, such as with incoming and outgoing farm products.

“In the past, growers let nature take its course when growing palm trees. Whatever insights others could offer, the growers asserted that they had been cultivating palm trees for a long time and understood everything they needed to know. However, when the group was formed and the RSPO Standards were introduced, experts were invited to share suggestions until improvement and better understanding were achieved,” Surasit explained.

As Chairman of Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise, Surasit met with all group members and was initially discouraged because members refused to listen to his suggestions, opting to continue working in the same old manner.

“For instance, at Klang Kuan, growers used to pile up palm fronds along a sloped terrace for ease of harvest. We suggested that doing so would result in surface soil degradation, particularly during the upcoming rainy season. They disputed, claiming that they had been farming like this for a long time. I demonstrated how to spread the palm fronds in accordance with RSPO Standards and simply stated, if it worked well, they might use that technique in the future. Six months afterwards, following the rainy season, I returned to their farms and discovered that the growers followed my recommendations, which reportedly worked extremely well. Previously, the roots of palm trees grew vertically into the ground. But that is no longer the case because we spread palm fronds at the base of the tree to slow down the water flow.” According to Surasit, this acts as the most significant process change as we move toward sustainable palm plantation.

“There was no harm to the environment and no encroachment upon nonplantation areas once the group launched sustainable palm plantation initiatives. Moreover, the growers began to safeguard the forests, wild animals and habitats. In the past, some farms practised crop burning but not anymore. This change aids in reducing pollution and global warming.” 

Surasit continued, “After being certified by RSPO, there have been no economic or social impacts on the communities around palm plantation areas. However, growers now have better livelihoods as seen from the harvest. At present, there are no raw palm fruits involved as we do not harvest raw palm fruit — only high-quality output. For locals, this has no effect on palm prices at all.

“Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise group operates in accordance with its initiatives on social or environmental impacts, as well as for the well-being of neighbouring communities. If any member’s farm causes problems to the surrounding communities, local people can submit letters of complaint so that the person in charge can address their concerns. Trainings on farm management and health safety are held for members and Workers twice a year. Typically, 30–40 participants at a time are trained on RSPO Standards regarding farm management and optimal palm fronds placement, as well as ideas for using less fertiliser to minimise farm impacts on climate change.”

When asked about partners, supporting agencies or extraction mills, the Chairman of Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise for sustainable palm oil responded, “The group does not focus only on alliances, but will also approach those who give the best price for members and promote the product with factories. To summarise, there is no monopoly with any factory.

“To sustain high-quality palm oil production,” Surasit said, “the group has put in place a five-year plan to improve old farms of current members in order to both maintain high yields and recruit even more members.” 

Surasit concluded how smallholders achieve RSPO Certification, “Adhering to RSPO Standards as the group recommends, there were eight prerequisites which have now been reduced to five requirements with 13 sub-criteria. However, members have no concerns and can perform admirably in accordance with the standards.” 

Total area covered by the project
1701 Ha

Number of smallholders benefitting from this project
342 Smallholders

Number/percentage of women supported by this project
50.58% women in this project

1. You can support the group by providing agricultural equipment as well as supporting fertilizers used to maintain palm trees.
2. You can support the group with a tractor and additional equipment (such as a shoveling the soil machine, grass cutter, palm leaf crusher, and fertilizer spreader), as currently we need to rent from the office.
3. Since our group sells 100% RSPO credits, if you wish to support our group, you can do so by purchasing our credits.
4. Currently, our group members are facing issues with root rot (Ganoderma). We are seeking assistance in terms of knowledge and equipment to manage this disease.

Representative Contact
Mr.Surasit Pisedsin | Group Chair Man | [email protected] |

Mr.Kleangsak Naksawast
Database Official
(+66) 89 253 9866
[email protected]

Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise

Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise

Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise

Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise

Nueakhlong-Khaophanom Community Enterprise