Jambi, 29 June 2022 – The Regent of Tebo, H. Aspan S.T, has expressed appreciation for Asian Agri’s efforts in the collective prevention of forest and land fires in some of the villages in Tebo Regency. This was conveyed at the Award Ceremony for the Fire Free Village Program (FFVP), facilitated by Asian Agri.
“We are really appreciative of Asian Agri for the FFVP reward that recognizes our effective fire prevention in the villages around the company’s operations. We hope other companies will also follow the good example set by Asian Agri. According to Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), we are currently entering the dry season, so it’s important to take proactive measures to prevent forest and land fires in Tebo,” said Mr Aspan, in his speech on June 29, 2022.
Mr Aspan extended his congratulations to the villages that earned FFVP awards, and he expressed hope that the fire prevention efforts would also be followed by other villages.
At the event, Regional Head of Asian Agri Jambi, Ramli Simarmata explained that the FFVP remained a strong response to the chronic challenge of forest and land fires, which continue to threaten the environment and public health. Since its May 1 2016 launch, the FFVP has proven effective in preventing forest and land fires in the area.
“Before the FFVP in 2015, the area of burned land in Bungo Regency was 1,771 hectares. With the FFVP, land fires decreased significantly and by mid-2022 the total burned area across the participating villages is only 1.7 hectares. Meanwhile, the average reduction in the burned area in the participating villages reached 50 percent annually,” said Ramli Simarmata, Regional Head Asian Agri Jambi Region, during the award ceremony.
“Besides, the company also provides economic incentives for villages that successfully reduce their burned areas to up to 0%. A reward of up to Rp 100 million will be given to the successful participating village and the funds can be used to improve the village’s infrastructure,” Mr Ramli explained.
The Asian Agri-supported Suo Suo Village and Semambu Village in Sumay District, Tebo Regency both won the Rp 100 million reward for their effective forest and land fire prevention.
Ramli Simarmata said that in the period 2016 – 2022, the total FFVP Award given to participating villages in Jambi amounted to IDR 1.4 billion.
“The FFVP and its incentives reflect the company’s longstanding commitment to preventing forest and land fires, while also helping to boost the community’s economy,” Mr Ramli explained.
In 2016, Asian Agri became one of the founding members of the Fire Free Alliance (FFA), which brings together several forestry and agricultural companies to prevent forest and land fires in Indonesia.
“Since 1994, Asian Agri implemented a zero-burn policy in the development of its oil palm plantations in three provinces – North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi,” he said.
He added that controlling forest and land fires is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including the government, Indonesian Air Forces, Indonesian National Police, and the community.
“We all need to mutually support one another as we each play an active role in preventing forest and land fires. The FFVP, assisted by Asian Agri, has proven to be effective in preventing forest and land fires, and we hope to not only maintain progress but also improve in the future,” he said.
Mr Ramli also thanked all the stakeholders, including the Government, TNI/Polri, and the villages to for proactively preventing forest and land fires in the area.
About Asian Agri:
Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil producers. Founded in 1979, the company today manages 100,000 hectares of plantation land and employs over 25,000 people. A pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Trans-National Government Migration (PIR-Trans) program, Asian Agri currently works with 30,000 Plasma Scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi who operate 60,000 hectares of palm oil plantations, and independent smallholders who manage a total 41,000 hectares.
Implementing a strict “no burn” policy since 1994 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 (PT Inti Indosawit Subur) is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) since 2006. More than 86% of its owned plantations in North Sumatra, Riau & Jambi provinces and 100% of Plasma Scheme smallholder plantations in Riau & Jambi provinces have been RSPO certified. All its owned plantations and those owned by scheme smallholders ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) certified since 2014. In 2019, the company also achieved 100% ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification.
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 laboratory at the Center for Research and Development in Tebing Tinggi is accredited by the National Accreditation Committee under the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA).
Media Contact :
Lidya Veronica
Media Relations Asian Agri
lidia_veronika@www.asianagri.com
