The socialization in Landak Regency highlighted the importance of accurate plantation data, community understanding, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen traceability and support landscape management and forest protection.
LANDAK, West Kalimantan — The Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F), with support from the International Trade Centre (ITC), held an e-STDB Registration Socialization event at the Landak Regency Bappeda Hall on 29 September 2026. The event aimed to strengthen stakeholders’ understanding and coordination to support accurate and verified registration of independent oil palm smallholders as a foundation for responsible supply chain traceability.
The event was attended by 46 participants representing local government, sub-district and village administrations, ITC, 4F, and business actors. Through presentations and discussions, participants explored the e-STDB registration mechanism, data collection needs and challenges, and the roles of different stakeholders in supporting implementation at the village level.
e-STDB data include farmers’ identities, commodities, plantation size and location, coordinates, and supporting documents for review and verification. Accurate data can support smallholder plantation administration and traceability of plantation product origins. For 4F, strengthening farmer and plantation-location data is also linked to understanding landscape conditions, including identifying areas that require attention in forest protection efforts. Thus, e-STDB registration is one step toward connecting plantation administration needs, traceability, and landscape management.
Building Community Understanding and Trust
The Head of the Landak Regency Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), Yulianus Edo Natalaga, S.Hut., M.Sc., who attended on behalf of the Regent of Landak, stated that STDB registration had been underway since 2023. However, the registration process still faces challenges, including community concerns about taxes, Land and Building Tax (PBB), and possible impacts on access to government assistance.
Figure 1. Yulianus Edo Natalaga, S.Hut., M.Sc., Head of the Landak Regency Bappeda, delivers remarks at the farmer and STDB registration socialization event.
This situation highlights the importance of clearly communicating the purpose, benefits, requirements, and use of STDB data. Socialization activities should give community members opportunities to ask questions and understand the process before deciding whether to participate. Coordination with village governments and joint verification are also important to ensure that recorded information reflects conditions on the ground.
Farmer Data in the Broader Landscape Context
In his presentation, 4F Program Manager Harits Yowansyah explained that farmer and plantation-location data need to be understood within the broader landscape context, including forest areas, water sources, and areas of conservation value. Spatial information can help clarify the relationship between plantation locations and landscape conditions, and identify areas requiring further attention and verification.
Figure 2. 4F Program Manager Harits Yowansyah presents on the landscape perspective and conservation values.
The High Carbon Stock–High Conservation Value (HCS–HCV) approach promoted by 4F connects plantation information with forest protection efforts. However, spatial data still need to be reviewed alongside official data, field conditions, and local community knowledge. This information serves as supporting data for understanding landscape conditions; it does not determine land status or land rights.
STDB, Support for Farmers, and Traceability
Bayu Supianto, representing the Landak Regency Agriculture, Plantation and Livestock Service, emphasized the importance of farmer data and plantation area information in identifying needs and proposing program support. He cited a plan to propose support for approximately 1,700 hectares of plantations through the Smallholder Oil Palm Replanting (PSR) program, which requires, among other things, adequate farmer and plantation-area data.
Figure 3. Bayu Supianto of the Landak Regency Agriculture, Plantation and Livestock Service presents on farmer and STDB registration.
The event also clarified that STDB registration is free of charge, while issuance is subject to certain requirements and limitations, including for plantations located within forest areas or areas under Cultivation Rights Titles (HGU). Farmers should seek clarification from the relevant authorities about the requirements and status of their respective plantations. Recording data does not in itself constitute proof of ownership or legal recognition of land rights.
Figure 4. Hiswaty Hafid, ITC National Coordinator for the Palm Oil Sector, delivers remarks at the farmer and STDB registration socialization event in Landak Regency.
From a supply-chain perspective, Hiswaty Hafid, ITC National Coordinator for the Palm Oil Sector, explained the importance of traceability in identifying product origins. ITC also introduced the ATLAS programme, which is designed to support small communities in becoming better prepared to connect with international trade, including by strengthening traceability systems and e-STDB. Available data can help farmers respond to supply-chain requirements, although it does not automatically guarantee market access or specific economic benefits.
Local Collaboration and Women’s Participation
The discussion also highlighted the role of village governments and local stakeholders in building community understanding. Simon Mamuraja, S.E., Head of Sengah Temila Sub-district, encouraged the involvement of village and hamlet administrations so that information about registration could be communicated effectively. The Sebatih Village Government also emphasized the importance of coordination and understanding the history of land use at the community level.
Figure 5. Simon Mamuraja, S.E., Head of Sengah Temila Sub-district, shares his views during the discussion.
Meanwhile, Eli S. from the Community Empowerment Division of the Landak Regency Community and Village Empowerment Office (DPMD) highlighted the importance of ensuring that women have access to information and opportunities to participate in discussions about plantations. More inclusive engagement can help ensure that information reaches diverse community members rather than circulating only among certain groups.
Figure 6. Eli S., Head of the Community Empowerment Division at the DPMD, shares her views during the discussion.
Understanding and Relevance of e-STDB Registration
After the event, participants were asked to complete a survey on their understanding of the material presented. The results showed that most participants considered the socialization relevant to the needs of Landak Regency. Participants also reported improved understanding of the links between e-STDB registration, landscape mapping, data verification, and supply-chain traceability. These findings provide an initial indication of participants’ acceptance of and understanding of the material. The results also point to the need for clearer explanations and continued assistance, particularly to help stakeholders understand the links between e-STDB registration, mapping, verification, and data traceability.
Strengthening Coordination and Follow-up for Village-Level Registration
As a follow-up, 4F, together with the local, sub-district, and village governments and other relevant stakeholders, will strengthen coordination for e-STDB registration in the target villages. The Head of Sengah Temila Sub-district emphasized the importance of involving village governments, hamlet heads, and local representatives to build community understanding. The Sebatih Village Government highlighted the importance of coordination and understanding the history of land tenure and land use known by the local community.
Further coordination will include identifying registration needs and challenges, checking the availability of data and supporting documents, and discussing schedules for village-level socialization. The information collected should include farmers’ identities, plantation locations and areas, commodities, coordinates, and other supporting information needed for review and verification.
Accurate and complete data must be accompanied by appropriate governance of data access, security, and information traceability. Explaining the purpose of data use, who can access it, and how corrections can be made is also important for building community understanding and trust.
Through this coordination and follow-up, the socialization is expected to serve as an initial step toward strengthening stakeholder understanding and supporting more accurate, consistent, and verifiable smallholder plantation registration.