Medan & Pekanbaru, Indonesia, September 2026
Inovasi Digital, with support from Unilever, conducted a series of capacity-building workshops in Medan and Pekanbaru to strengthen palm oil mills’ understanding and implementation of Traceability to Plantation (TTP).
Held across the two cities between 21 and 26 September 2026, the workshops brought together representatives from 27 palm oil mills to strengthen the systems, data, and internal processes needed to trace Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB/TBS) back to their plantation sources. The program forms part of the Traceability to Plantation initiative supported by Unilever and facilitated by Inovasi Digital.
As sustainability and market requirements continue to evolve, palm oil mills play an increasingly important role in maintaining reliable supply-chain information. Mills may source FFB from their own estates, third-party plantations, dealers, aggregators, and independent smallholders, creating different levels of complexity in identifying and documenting the original production source. For independent mills in particular, traceability can be more challenging because sourcing networks often involve multiple dealers and smallholders, making it harder to maintain consistent visibility back to the plantation level. Strengthening mill-level traceability therefore becomes an important step toward building supply chains that are more transparent, consistent, and ready for sustainability reporting requirements.
Over the course of the workshops, participants explored several areas relevant to the development of a stronger TTP system, including NDPE and EUDR developments, supplier database management, TTP documentation, spatial analysis, FFB sourcing risk assessment, GIS-based mapping, purchasing standards, supplier verification processes, and operational planning toward 100% TTP.
The workshop combined presentations, group discussions, simulations, spatial-data exercises, and practical planning. Participants were also encouraged to assess the data and systems currently available within their mills, including supplier databases, sourcing coordinates, purchasing procedures, field verification mechanisms, and reporting processes.
A key focus of the program was helping mills move beyond understanding traceability as a reporting requirement. A functioning TTP system requires consistent supplier information, clear purchasing and verification procedures, spatial visibility of sourcing areas, and the ability to identify and respond to risks within the supply base.
Through the workshops, participating mills were supported in identifying the administrative and spatial data needed to strengthen their traceability systems, while developing an initial picture of the steps required to improve implementation within their own operations. The program is also intended to prepare mills for continued assistance on TTP implementation and reporting during the wider program period.
Strengthening traceability at mill level is an important part of connecting sustainability commitments with practical implementation. By combining supplier data, spatial information, risk assessment, and operational processes, mills can build stronger foundations for responsible sourcing, sustainability reporting, and changing market expectations.
