Public-Private Synergy Drives e-STDB Push for Cacao Farmers in Central Sulawesi

This publication is adapted from the original article: https://kabarselebes.co.id/berita/2025/05/07/sulawesi-tengah-percepat-penerbitan-e-std-b-untuk-perkebunan-berkelanjutan-gandeng-korporasi-bantu-petani-kakao/

Executive Summaries:

• Central Sulawesi Accelerates e-STDB for Sustainable Farming. Government agencies in Central Sulawesi are pushing to expand the e-STDB (electronic Cultivation Registration Certificate) registration for cacao and coffee farmers, aiming to meet national compliance standards and unlock access to global markets.

• Traceability as a Gateway to Global Markets. The e-STDB system is essential for enabling traceability in the plantation sector, a growing requirement for exports as international markets adopt stricter environmental regulations. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that verified sourcing is key to meeting these trade expectations.

• Koltiva Supports Digital Traceability Solutions. KOLTIVA is actively involved in supporting land mapping and data verification in Sigi. By leveraging its digital tools and on-the-ground presence, the company plays a pivotal role in enabling scalable e-STDB implementation and supporting Central Sulawesi’s inclusive sustainability goals.

Palu, Indonesia – Only 500 cacao farmers in Sigi Regency have been registered under Indonesia’s mandatory e-STDB system, a figure far behind the region’s agricultural potential. In response, government and private sector leaders are intensifying efforts to accelerate the registration of cacao and coffee farmers in Central Sulawesi, viewing the e-STDB (Surat Tanda Daftar Usaha Perkebunan Budidaya) as a crucial aspect in realizing sustainable farming and accessing international markets.

This push was the focus of a workshop held in Palu on May 7, 2025, titled Accelerating e-STDB Registration and Training of Trainers, led by the Plantation and Livestock Office of Central Sulawesi. Simpra Tajang, Head of the Plantation Crop Production and Protection Division, emphasized that e-STDB is now a non-negotiable requirement, citing Presidential Regulation No. 109/2024, Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 98/2013, and Decree No. 37/2024 issued by the Director General of Plantations.

However, Simpra acknowledged the primary challenge remains in securing legal proof of land ownership, an obstacle for many smallholder producers. To overcome this, he called for support from local governments and development partners, including JB Cocoa, Olam Food Indonesia, Mars Indonesia, Mondelez, Guan Chong Berhad, Cargill, Koltiva, and SNV.

“The government cannot do this alone. Synergy with corporations is essential to assist producers, particularly those already under company programs,” Simpra stated.

Echoing this, Haris Darmawan, Director of Downstream Plantation Products at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that e-STDB is integral to ensuring traceability in the plantation sector. Traceability, he stressed, is increasingly vital for entering global markets as countries adopt stricter tariff and non-tariff policies, particularly regarding deforestation-free sourcing.

“This system allows us to guarantee that raw materials originate from verified, sustainable sources,” Haris said.

The workshop, also supported by World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, aimed to deepen understanding of the e-STDB system among government officials, forest management units (KPH), and private sector players in Central Sulawesi. It also sought to accelerate farmer registration and STDB issuance across the region.

Rahmad Iqbal Nurkhalish B. Aly, Head of the Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation Office of Sigi Regency, revealed that of the regency’s 28,000 hectares of cacao plantations, only 500 producers have registered with an STDB. The local government has set a target to reach 1,000 to 1,500 registered farmers by the end of 2025.

"Without collaboration with companies that support thousands of farmers and hold verified land data, it will be difficult to achieve our target," Rahmad emphasized.

In addition to cacao, Sigi also has around 5,000 hectares of coffee plantations, which remain largely unregistered in the STDB system—representing untapped potential for market access and sustainability initiatives.

Koltiva’s Role: Facilitating End-to-End Traceability for Sulawesi’s Cacao Supply Chains Using Technology

KOLTIVA, one of the stakeholders mentioned, is actively supporting efforts in Sigi through its proven traceability and digital data management solutions. With a presence on the ground and experience in mapping, and land data verification, KOLTIVA is well-positioned to assist in scaling e-STDB implementation.

As stakeholders work together to build a sustainable, transparent, and inclusive agricultural system in Central Sulawesi, collaboration between government agencies, corporations, and technology providers like KOLTIVA will be essential in ensuring that no producer is left behind.