Pelalawan, 3rd July 2024 – In anticipation of the forest and land fire (Karhutla) during the dry season around the company’s concession areas and nearby villages, Asian Agri conducted a Fire Readiness Drill along with training and simulation exercises at the Balai Adat Field in Segati Village, Langgam District, Pelalawan Regency, Riau on the 3rd July 2024. This routine activity is carried out to ensure the fire prevention team remains vigilant against fire hazards.
During the Fire Readiness Drill, the Head of the Pelalawan Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Zulfan, stated, “The local government greatly appreciates Asian Agri’s efforts in preventing forest and land fires in Pelalawan Regency. We hope that this programme will significantly reduce the occurrence of such fires.”
Group Manager of PT Mitra Unggul Pusaka (PT MUP), Victory Brahmana, explained that the purpose of the Fire Readiness Drill and fire prevention training is to enhance the skills and knowledge of the Company’s firefighting team, from prevention to firefighting techniques, ensuring they are prepared to respond to any fires that may occur. “Additionally, we are conducting inspections of our equipment and facilities to ensure they are ready for use,” he stated.
Fire-Free Village Manager of Asian Agri, Hafiz Hazalin Sinaga, further explained that during the Fire Readiness Drill, a joint agreement for the 2024-2025 Fire-Free Village (FFV) programme was signed with five villages: Lubuk Ogong, Rantau Baru, Tambak, Segati, and Bagan Limau. “This joint agreement is between Asian Agri and various stakeholders, including village officials, local government, and other relevant agencies, to maintain fire-free areas,” he clarified.
Coordinator of Manggala Agni Region II, Edwin Putra, expressed his appreciation for Asian Agri, acknowledging the company as a pioneer in prevention activities. “The key to success lies in prevention activities, which can only be effective when involving all stakeholders—government and communities—as partners of private companies,” he stated. He also emphasized the importance of the 2024-2025 Fire Free Village agreement signed between Asian Agri and the surrounding villages. “It is crucial because it encourages village communities to protect their areas from forest and land fires. Asian Agri has long supported the government by assisting village communities around its concession areas in safeguarding their regions from such fires,” he concluded.
Hafiz further added that the Fire Free Village (FFV) programme aims to empower and encourage villages to adopt Asian Agri’s ‘no-burn’ policy in land management and keep their villages fire-free. “We also provide economic incentives as a form of appreciation to the village communities, which can be used for various purposes. These incentives are awarded to villages that successfully maintain their areas free from forest and land fires,” he concluded.
The event was also attended by Chief of Bandar Sei Kijang Police; Alfredo Kristina Kaban, Chief of Langgam Police; Maskandar, Head of Langgam Sub-district; Joko Hadi Syaifudin Zuhri, Head of Ukui Sub-district; Datuk Rajo Bilang Bungsu Abdul Wahid, Chairman of the General Council of Traditional Institutions of Pelalawan Regency; and the village heads from the respective villages that signed the joint agreement.
The Fire-Free Village (FFV) programme, born out of Asian Agri’s commitment to implementing its ‘no-burn’ policy since 1994 across its operational areas. This programme was started in 2016. to collaborate with local communities to enhance awareness and vigilance against fire hazards while providing cost-effective alternatives to land clearing without burning.
Under the FFV programme, Asian Agri facilitates and nurtures surrounding villages to understand the adverse effects of forest and land fires (Karhutla). The company encourages village communities to actively participate in preventing fires within their surroundings. Moreover, the programme aims to cultivate community awareness of fire hazards and empower villages to take the forefront in preventing fires within their communities.
About Asian Agri
Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s leading national private companies producing crude palm oil (CPO) since 1979. To date, Asian Agri manages 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employs over 20,000 people.
As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Program (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 plasma smallholders in Riau and Jambi who manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. Additionally, the company fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to bring positive impacts on their welfare and economic improvement.
By implementing a zero-burning policy and sustainable plantation management practices, Asian Agri helps smallholders increase productivity, crop yields, supply chain traceability and supports them in obtaining certifications. Asian Agri’s factories utilize state-of-the-art technology harnessing self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
All business units under the umbrella of Asian Agri have obtained ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification. Currently, Asian Agri’s core plantations in North Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi provinces, as well as plasma smallholders plantations in Riau and Jambi provinces, are 100% RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified. Simultaneously, ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) has been achieved for all plantations owned by Asian Agri and its partner farmers.
Asian Agri’s success as one of the leading CPO producers has been internationally recognized with ISO 14001 certification for all its operations. The Learning Institute in Pelalawan, Riau, and the seedling center in Kampar, Riau, are also ISO 9001 certified. Furthermore, Asian Agri’s research and development center in Tebing Tinggi has been certified by the International Plant-Analytical Exchange at the WEPAL lab at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, ensuring high standards.
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications, Asian Agri
Email: communications@asianagri.com
