Tebo, 11th July 2024 – Through one of its business units, PT Rigunas Agri Utama (PT RAU), Asian Agri has awarded the Fire-Free Village Programme (FFVP) to Desa Semambu, located in Sumay District, Tebo Regency, Jambi. This award was given in recognition of the village’s success in maintaining its area to be fire-free throughout 2023.
The award presentation coincided with the World Environment Day event organised by the Jambi Provincial Environment Department in Perintis Village, Rimbo Bujang District, Tebo, on 11th July 2024.
During the opening ceremony, the Governor of Jambi, Al Haris, expressed his appreciation to the companies. “We extend our gratitude to Asian Agri and other companies for their efforts in supporting villages to be fire-free. We hope that Semambu Village will continue to protect its area from forest and land fires and inspire other villages to prevent disasters. With good collaboration between the Jambi provincial government and the companies, we can safeguard our region from the danger of fires,” he said.
The FFVP award was presented by the SSL Manager of Asian Agri Jambi Region, Liharman Purba, to the Head of Semambu Village, Heriantoni, witnessed by the Governor of Jambi, Al Haris, and Acting Regent of Tebo, Varial Adhi Putra.
On this occasion, the Village Head of Semambu, Heriantoni, expressed his gratitude to Asian Agri for the FFVP award given. “We will use this award to improve the village’s facilities and infrastructure to prevent forest and land fires. We hope to maintain the status of a fire-free village next year,” he explained.
Acting Regent of Tebo, Varial Adhi Putra, stated, “The Fire-Free Village Programme is a response to the recurring forest and land fires. Villages that successfully keep their areas fire-free are given awards and incentives. As the district government, we hope the villages will work together to protect their areas from forest fires and also to preserve the environment,” he remarked.
Later, the SSL Manager of Asian Agri for Jambi, Liharman Purba, explained that the FFVP is one of Asian Agri’s steps to respond to the impacts of forest and land fires. “We congratulate Semambu Village for their success in two consecutive years in safeguarding their area from forest and land fires. We hope that the village can continue its efforts to protect itself from fire hazards this year and in the years to come,” he said.
At the same time, PT RAU also signed a joint agreement for the 2024-2025 FFVP with five villages located around the company’s concession area: Semambu Village, Suosuo Village, Teriti Village, Tuo Sumay Village, and Muara Sekalo Village. The signing was witnessed by the Acting Regent of Tebo, Varial Adhi Putra.
“Signing this represents a mutual agreement between Asian Agri and stakeholders including village officials, local government, and other relevant agencies to maintain the area free from fires,” said Fire Free Village Manager at Asian Agri, Hafiz Hazalin Sinaga.
Hafiz also added that the FFVP programme aims to empower and encourage villages to adopt Asian Agri’s ‘no-burn’ policy in land management, thereby safeguarding their villages from fires.
Hafiz further mentioned that the company also provides economic incentives that can be used by village communities for various purposes. “These incentives are given to villages that successfully keep their areas free from forest fires,” he concluded.
The FFVP programme was born as a manifestation of Asian Agri’s commitment to implementing the “zero burning” policy that has been in place across the company’s operational areas since 1994. Initiated in 2016, the FFVP programme aims to collaborate with local communities to raise awareness and vigilance against fire hazards, as well as to provide alternative, more cost-effective methods for land clearing without using fire.
Under this programme, Asian Agri facilitates and supports surrounding villages to understand the negative impacts of forest and land fires, encouraging them to actively participate in preventing fires within their communities. The program also aims to cultivate village residents’ awareness of fire hazards and empower them to be at the forefront of fire prevention efforts in their villages.
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
