Planting Naturals Digitizes 7,224 Smallholders in Sierra Leone's First RSPO Organic Palm Oil Chain

DARU, Sierra Leone - Dec. 25, 2025 - PRLog -- Africa is losing forests faster than any other region. Between 2010 and 2020, the continent recorded average forest loss of 3.9 million hectares per year, driven mainly by agricultural expansion, fuelwood harvesting, logging, and mining (The Conversation, 2025). This accelerating deforestation threatens ecosystems, rural livelihoods, and global climate goals.

Against this backdrop, Planting Naturals is advancing a more sustainable palm oil model in Africa. The company produces organic crude palm oil and palm kernel oil for export by integrating its own plantations with a growing network of smallholder farmers. To meet rising global expectations for transparency and sustainability, Planting Naturals has partnered with KOLTIVA, a global leader in traceability and sustainable supply chain technology.

Planting Naturals sources from its own plantation and more than 7,224 smallholder farmers and has established Sierra Leone's first organic, RSPO-certified palm plantation and outgrower model. The supply chain is aligned with emerging regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Through KOLTIVA's traceability solutions and field expertise, the company now has plot-level visibility across its palm oil network, turning regulatory alignment into measurable action.

The partnership comes as the EUDR raises the bar for commodities entering the EU, requiring proof that products are deforestation-free and legally sourced. Rather than viewing compliance as a burden, Planting Naturals sees it as a strategic opportunity. Using KOLTIVA's EUDR solutions, the company is building a transparent, accountable, and future-ready supply chain while strengthening its position as a trusted international supplier.

"With the EUDR reshaping global trade, we are ensuring every drop of palm oil is legally produced, deforestation-free, and fully traceable," said Jan Hein De Vroe, Co-Founder & CEO of Planting Naturals. "Partnering with KOLTIVA (https://www.koltiva.com/) allows us to integrate legality and sustainability data at the field level, going beyond compliance to empower farmers and protect forests."

KOLTIVA's traceability platform enables plot-level mapping, real-time field data collection, and compliance monitoring. Trained field agents gather verified data on farmer profiles, mapped plots, and sustainability practices, which feeds into a centralized system supporting EUDR risk assessments, reporting, and audits.

Beyond compliance, the initiative strengthens smallholder inclusion. KOLTIVA's EMEA team conducted hands-on field training to embed traceability into daily operations, improving data quality and farmer engagement. "This collaboration shows how African agribusinesses can lead in transparent, deforestation-free production," said Manfred Borer, CEO of KOLTIVA.

By combining digital traceability with practical field implementation, Planting Naturals is demonstrating that sustainable, inclusive palm oil supply chains are achievable at scale in Sierra Leone.