Riau, 4 December 2018 – Oil palm farmers who are members of the Mulus Rahayu Cooperative in Riau today carried out their first harvest of their oil palm plantations, which underwent replanting in April 2016.
Among those who attended the event were Siak Regent, Dr. H. Syamsuar, plasma farmers, regional leaders from the Siak Regency and Riau Province, Asian Agri Head of Plantation, Omri Saosir, and Asian Agri Regional Head of Riau, Pengarapen Gurusinga.
The replanting was carried out in line with the Indonesian government’s Smallholders’ Palm Oil Replanting Program (PSR), and in partnership with Asian Agri.
Under the replanting program, 135 plasma smallholders are currently ready to harvest 310 hectares of replanted oil palm plantations.
At the event, Dr. H. Syamsuar expressed appreciation to all farmers for their willingness and hard work in replanting their oil palm plantations towards achieving better productivity. He also encouraged farmers with unproductive oil palm plantations to reconsider carrying out replanting.
Head of Mulus Rahayu Cooperative, Pawito Saring, expressed gratitude for the group’s success in replanting their plantations, giving thanks to the government’s Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Bank Syariah Mandiri, and Asian Agri as the partner company for supporting the farmers’ replanting efforts.
According to Pawito, his partnership with Asian Agri eased his worries about replanting.
“One of my initial concerns was the waiting period, when income is reduced as the plants are not yet productive.
“However, through the partnership with Asian Agri, we received assistance from the preparation period until the actual replanting process. We received training in how to gain alternative income, such as through breeding catfish, so that we could maintain an income,” Pawito said.
“We hope that our success in replanting our plantations will inspire other farmers who are still hesitant to replant their oil palm plantations which are no longer productive,” he continued.
In replanting their plantations, the Mulus Rahayu Cooperative farmers used Asian Agri’s superior Topaz seeds, which have shown potential to yield higher productivity compared to other palm oil seedlings.
Meanwhile, Omri Samosir said that the cooperative and harmonious relations that Asian Agri continues to cultivate with the farmers have been key to the success of the replanting program.
“Asian Agri’s partnerships with plasma farmers have been going on more for than 30 years. Today, our partner farmers have been able to enjoy the results of their commitment to the replanting program. We certainly hope that this well-established partnership will carry on, and we will continue to encourage the welfare of other farmers in Indonesia,” he said.
To date, Asian Agri has collaborated with plasma and independent farmers who manage 96,000 hectares of oil palm plantations in Riau, Jambi and North Sumatra. The company continues to be committed to reaching more smallholders through partnership programs to improve the welfare of farmer families and in support of sustainable palm oil management in Indonesia.
About Asian Agri:
Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil producers since 1979. Today, the company manages 100,000 hectares of land and employs over 25,000 people. A pioneer of the Indonesian government’s Trans-National Government Migration (PIR-Trans) program, Asian Agri works with 30,000 plasma smallholders in Riau and Jambi who operate 60,000 hectares of palm oil plantations, as well as independent smallholders, bringing about positive impact on their quality of life and economic development.
Implementing a strict “no burn” policy and best practices in sustainable plantation management, Asian Agri has helped its smallholder partners improve productivity, yield and supply chain traceability, while assisting them obtain certifications. The company’s mills are technologically advanced and energy self-sufficient, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Asian Agri is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). More than 86% of both owned plantations in North Sumatra, Riau & Jambi provinces and 100% of scheme smallholder plantations in Riau & Jambi provinces have been RSPO certified. All plantations, including those owned by smallholders, have been certified by ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification). More than 91% of plantations and mills owned by Asian Agri have been ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certified.
The company’s operations are ISO 14001 certified, while its Learning Institute and nursery research center in Riau province, Indonesia are both ISO 9001 certified. Asian Agri’s R&D Center in North Sumatra was also given a certification by the International Plant-Analytical Exchange at the WEPAL lab at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, for its high standards.
For further information, please contact:
| Dinna Permana Setyani |
| Corporate Communication Manager |
| E-mail: DinnaPermana@www.asianagri.com |
| DID: (021) 230 1119 |
