Power dynamic in smallholders’ participation in sustainable certification: A case study of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil certification

Abstract: This study analyses the power dynamic in the government-led sustainable certification, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and how it affects equitable participation, especially the smallholders who are the bottom actors in the industry. A case study was carried out in Jambi province, as one of the largest palm oil producers in the country. This study examines various actors related to the certification through semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive perspective of the integration process, from national to local level. The political ecology lens is used to understand of how the correlation of power and knowledge influences the equitable participation in managing the highly contested palm oil sector. This study finds that the power dynamic creates a domination from the powerful actor in the certification chain, and this actor tends to frame the initiative to protect their own interests. Furthermore, the unequal power relations influence the information flow that is required to include the smallholder in the certification chain. Moreover, when putting the policy into practice, the limited capacity of the actors may hinder equitable participation. Finally, the lack of a master plan to integrate the smallholders to the chain creates a scattered process that may end in an ineffective implementation.