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Smallholders, Big Impact: Reza Azmi on Palm Oil, Sustainability, and the EUDR
In this episode of Earth Central, we speak with Reza Asmi, Executive Director of Wild Asia, to explore SPIRAL Connect — a bottom-up model transforming palm oil supply chains by empowering independent smallholders and progressive mills across Southeast Asia. (spiral.wildasia.org)
Reza shares the evolution of Wild Asia’s mission: from early conservation work in Malaysian forests to pioneering certified smallholder groups under RSPO standards. Today, their SPIRAL Connect initiative is redefining how sustainability works on the ground — integrating regenerative practices, fermentation-based farming, and real-time traceability into everyday palm oil production.
With a footprint now reaching over 32,000 hectares, SPIRAL Connect demonstrates how investing in soil health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods can reduce costs, improve yields, and lower carbon footprints — making palm oil both more inclusive and resilient. Reza also shares how open-source training and farmer-to-farmer learning are helping scale this approach from Malaysia to Thailand, Indonesia, and even Peru.
The conversation highlights how SPIRAL differs from traditional top-down certification schemes. Instead, it builds value-chain relationships that align farmer incentives with downstream buyer commitments. Reza emphasizes the need to engage procurement departments — not just sustainability teams — to drive real transformation.
We also discuss the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the readiness of SPIRAL’s smallholders for compliance, and the limitations of current traceability efforts. Reza offers a grounded, nuanced view on what’s needed next: better tools, two-way data flows, and stronger partnerships that go beyond compliance to foster long-term regeneration.
Key themes:
- Regenerative palm oil rooted in biodiversity and soil health
- Farmer-led innovation using fermentation and natural farming
- Scaling traceability and compliance with EUDR
- Unlocking real value through procurement and buyer alignment
- Building a global network of farmer champions and knowledge hubs
SPIRAL Connect is not a certification — it’s a movement. One that centers smallholders, strengthens value chains, and brings measurable gains in carbon, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
Tackling Sustainable Supply Chain Risks: EUDR and Sustainability Insights
In this episode of Earth Central, Selina Rathke, Senior Consultant for Sustainability Supply Chains at LRQA, joins the conversation to explore the key challenges and trends shaping sustainable supply chains today, along with the implications of EUDR for sustainability.
Selina shares her expertise on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), emerging ESG requirements, and the challenges companies face in managing risks across global supply chains. She also sheds light on the importance of transparency, responsible sourcing, and minimizing negative impacts while navigating today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Whether you’re a business leader or just curious about sustainability, this conversation offers practical insights into tackling supply chain risks with clarity and purpose.
Tune in and discover how thoughtful strategies can help shape a more sustainable future.
