The Secretariat of Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) hosted the second round of Smallholder Outreach Program (SOP) reaching out the representatives of smallholders in Central America and Latin America. The teleconference was attended by representatives of smallholder associations and groups from Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. SOP served as a platform for smallholders of palm oil producing countries to share, cooperate and establish a global communication network of the industry, including in the context of achieving Sustainable  Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

At his opening remarks, the Deputy Executive Director of CPOPC, Dupito D. Simamora conveyed that smallholders have important part in CPOPC works. "We can collaborate to fight against the negative campaign against palm oil, to promete cooperation and share best agricultura! practices. We will also promete the stable remunerative price of palm oil for the interests of all producing countries," Si mamara said.

Sorne representatives stated their support on efforts to establish the global alliance and counter the negative campaigns or the stigmatization against palm oil. The representative of Association of Industrial Palm Oil Producers of Honduras (AIPAH) Claudia Amaya Marte! said that although farmers in Honduras are trying to meet sustainability principies and standards, they are fully aware of and ready to join forces in the fight against negative campaigns. 

Meanwhile, the representative of Gremial de Palmicultores de Guatemala (GREPALMA) Arnoldo Megar said, "The image of palm oil is attacked by negative campaign, and needed to be countered. The palm oil has a lot of benefit, like more productive in the

yield, fostered access to, education and health care, and also better living,". The representative of Federación Nacional de la Cadena Productiva del Aceite de Palma (PROPALMA) in Ecuador Osear Roberto Calahorrano Valencia shared his common concern.

The forum suggested to develop positive narratives together as the challenges continue to mount.

The participants also expressed their appreciation on the initiative of SOP. Representative of the National Federation of Oil Palm Growers of Colombia (FEDEPALMA) Juan Fernando Lezaca and Osear Roberto Calahorrano Valencia from the Federación Nacional de la Cadena Productiva del Aceite de Palma (PROPALMA) in Mexico conveyed that the CPOPC initiative on SOP is an initial step to building a global alliance for oil palm smallholders. Mexico is looking forward to having collaboration with the producing countries, as they can share about their experience in the palm oil industry." Said Valencia. 

FEDEPALMA encouraged CPOPC to bring the voice of smallholders to global arena. The forum agreed to have further conversation and discussion on issues of concern to all. In that context, CPOPC Secretariat reiterated its commitment to organize other sessions after conducting a comprehensive review of the three SOPs concluded next week with Africa. The follow up actions would be based on the main perspectives, challenges, recommendations and expectations of the palm oil smallholders of the global south.

In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of CPOPC, Tan Sri Yusof Basiron asserted that palm oil is the commodity of the future that has major contributor to the country's economic. The increasing demand could be fulfilled sustainably by palm oil beca use of its compatibility on the sustainability standards", said Tan Sri. He urged all palm oil producing countries to take advantages of the opportunities provided by palm oil and work together to defend the commodity against the negative campaigns which distort the facts of palm oil.

Last month, the first round of SOP was attended by 42 representatives of smallholders in Asia Pacific such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Papua New Guinea. The second round reached the  representatives of smallholders in Central America and Latin America, and the third round is planned to be hold next week where several representatives of smallholders from A frica have confirmed their participation on this event.