By: Devane Sharma

Addressing a Crucial Gap | Initial Findings | Expansion to Sambas | Key Outcomes | Looking Ahead

Addressing a Crucial Gap: The Women Smallholders Program

Independent smallholders play a vital role in the palm oil supply chain in Indonesia, yet many struggle with access to knowledge, financial services, and sustainable agricultural practices. Within these rural communities, women—who often manage household nutrition, childcare, and even some of the farming responsibilities—are an overlooked yet critical group. Recognizing this, Musim Mas launched the Women Smallholders Program (WSP) as part of its broader smallholder sustainability efforts, with support from Bunge to expand its reach and impact.

The program aims to address knowledge gaps in health and nutrition while equipping women with essential skills to improve their families’ well-being. Many smallholders lack formal education on these topics, and as the primary caregivers, women play a crucial role in passing down good practices to future generations. By focusing on this group, Musim Mas hopes to create a lasting, community-wide impact.

Initial Findings: Why the Women Smallholders Program Matters

WSP first ran in Riau, following a community needs survey where Musim Mas identified several key challenges facing women smallholders and their families. One of the most significant findings was the widespread lack of knowledge regarding proper nutrition and health management. Many women, whether they were smallholders themselves or the wives of smallholders, had limited awareness of essential dietary needs, prenatal care, and child nutrition.

Another key insight was that health-related training needed to be localized and delivered in an engaging, accessible manner. Past experiences showed that structured, expert-led training sessions that were less technical but more interactive had better retention and real-world application. This is why Musim Mas collaborated with academics and healthcare professionals to tailor the program’s content.

With these learnings in mind, Musim Mas sought to expand the initiative to other regions. Sambas in West Kalimantan was selected and made possible with the support of Bunge, a key partner in advancing sustainable palm oil production.

Expansion to Sambas: Strengthening Local Capacity with Bunge’s Support

Bunge, a global leader in agribusiness and food production, played a role in supporting this expansion. As a long-time advocate for sustainability in the palm oil value chain, Bunge’s collaboration with Musim Mas reflects its commitment to empowering smallholder communities and driving positive change in the industry. By partnering on this initiative, Bunge helped ensure that more women smallholders received the necessary tools to improve their well-being and livelihoods.

With Bunge’s collaboration, Musim Mas introduced a refined training model that built upon the successful framework established in Riau. The program in Sambas focused on three key components:

1. Expert-Led Training for Women Smallholders

The training in Sambas was delivered by local experts from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN). This collaboration ensured that the curriculum was scientifically sound and relevant to the participants’ needs.

Topics covered included maternal and child nutrition, balanced diets, and personal health management.

2. Engagement of Local Midwives for Long-Term Impact

To ensure sustainability and community buy-in, Musim Mas engaged local midwives from each village where the program was conducted.

These midwives played a dual role: they assisted in conducting health checks for the participants and provided follow-up support, helping to reinforce lessons learned during training sessions.

As a next step, we hope to empower them further with train-the-trainer program to serve as experts that can transfer their tacit skills and knowledge to other women.

3. Small Group Learning for Better Engagement

Participants were divided into smaller groups to facilitate more interactive discussions and personalized learning experiences.

This structure mirrored the approach used in Riau, which had proven effective in helping women grasp complex topics such as nutrition, family health, and personal hygiene.

Key Outcomes: Positive Change in Women Smallholder Communities

The response from the women smallholders in Sambas was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn practical skills that directly improved their lives and their families’ well-being. Some of the key outcomes include:

Improved Nutrition Awareness

Before the training, most participants were unfamiliar with the concept of balanced diets and nutrient-rich foods. Afterward, many reported making changes in their family meals, incorporating a wider variety of nutritious ingredients.

Health Monitoring and Preventative Care

Prior to the program, very few participants had undergone formal health check-ups. With the involvement of local midwives, women were encouraged to monitor their health regularly, leading to early detection of potential health issues.

Stronger Community Networks

By structuring the program around small groups and midwife-led follow-ups, Musim Mas helped foster a sense of community among participants. Women now have local support systems they can rely on for health and nutrition guidance.

Increased Confidence in Seeking Healthcare Services

Many women smallholders previously lacked awareness of local healthcare resources. The program encouraged them to seek medical assistance when needed, contributing to overall community health improvements.

Looking Ahead: Scaling the Women Smallholders Program

Building on the success of the WSP in Sambas, Musim Mas is committed to further expanding the program to more locations. Future phases of the program aim to include additional training on financial literacy, empowering women smallholders not just with health knowledge but also with the skills to manage their finances effectively.

A crucial aspect of the program’s sustainability is the **Training of Trainers (ToT) model**, where local midwives and community leaders receive advanced training to become WSP facilitators. This ensures that knowledge continues to be disseminated within communities even after Musim Mas and its partners step back from active program management.

Additionally, the program continues to work on a model of partnerships with universities and local government health agencies, ensuring that future iterations of the WSP remain scientifically rigorous and well-integrated into existing public health initiatives.

Musim Mas’ expansion of the Women Smallholders Program to Sambas, with the support of Bunge, marks a significant step toward improving the well-being of women smallholders and their families. By leveraging expert facilitators, engaging local midwives, and fostering community-driven learning, the program is making a tangible impact on nutrition, health, and overall quality of life.

As the initiative grows, Musim Mas and Bunge remain dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive palm oil industry—one where smallholders, particularly women, are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. The journey continues, and with each expansion, the program moves closer to achieving its goal of empowering smallholders across Indonesia.