Regenerative practices in palm oil production

Significant progress has been made in adopting more responsible production methods within the palm oil sector. Safeguards such as traceability, certification, and supply chain accountability are helping to reduce deforestation and mitigate social risks. However, a practical challenge remains. The sustainability and resilience of the palm oil industry heavily depend on the well-being of farmers and ecosystems.

In this paper, Livelihoods and SNV document lessons learned from implementing a regenerative palm oil framework trialled with 3,000 smallholders in North Sumatra as part of the BIPOSC project. Working at the interconnected levels of the farm, institutional and social, and landscape, and in partnership with private sector financiers—through the Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F)—the paper provides a practical roadmap for farmer adoption of regenerative practices to sustain new practices, increase yields and productivity, while protecting ecosystems and making the value chain more inclusive and participatory.

SNV and Livelihoods. (2026). Regenerative practices in palm oil production: A practical framework and lessons from the field. The Hague, the Netherlands: SNV.

Livelihoods Venture, SNV, and Musim Mas

Visit the BIPOSC project page to learn more about the partnership.