Over five years, the Centre has reshaped smallholder livelihoods through certification, innovation and community leadership. Independent smallholders contribute more than 40 per cent of global palm oil, yet face obstacles in accessing markets and certification.

CSS operates across five pillars: Community Empowerment, Livelihood Enhancement, Environmental Stewardship, Responsible Sourcing and Thought Leadership. To date, 892 smallholders have achieved RSPO certification, with yield improvements reaching 35 per cent in four years. Between 2021 and 2024, 407 certified farmers shared over USD 68,000 in sustainability-linked premiums.

The Centre also established PERTANIAGA, a Johor-based farmer association with women leading 38 per cent of its leadership. More than 1,100 farms now align with RSPO and NDPE practices, aided by a forthcoming mobile app for sustainability traceability.

Beyond field operations, CSS influences global ESG discourse through research, training and publications. Over 3,100 farmers have been trained, and two practical guides published to accelerate sustainable practice adoption.

Francis Wiederkehr of P&G Chemicals notes: “From Encik Rosli, a marathon-running farmer outperforming yield averages, to Puan Hamisah, a former civil servant championing women in agriculture, these stories reflect real human transformation.”

For The Asia School of Business, CSS is a proof point of how academia and industry can deliver scalable impact. As Professor Asad Ata observes: “We celebrate certificates, but more importantly the change they unlock in families, communities and ecosystems.”