South Sumatra Government Recognizes Cargill’s Commitment to Zero-Burning

Palembang, South Sumatra, July 30, 2018 — Cargill’s long-term commitment to zero burning through comprehensive fire prevention, monitoring and control measures was recognized by the provincial government of South Sumatra. The awards were presented on July 27, 2018 by H. Alex Noerdin, governor of South Sumatra, to Cargill’s PT Hindoli plantations located in Sungai Lilin, in the Musi Banyuasin district, and Mukut, in the Banyuasin district.

Cargill, one of the few foreign palm oil plantation companies in Indonesia, aims to be a leading agent in the fight against the haze in the region, providing support to government efforts in preventing and controlling land and plantation fires in South Sumatra.

“The Government really appreciates companies that have demonstrated their commitments to overcome forest and land fire issues in South Sumatra, and this becomes a benchmark for all parties to play a bigger role in reducing, and ultimately eliminating the risk of fire, we must sustain Zero-burning in South Sumatra.” said H. Alex Noerdin, governor of South Sumatra.

Ong Kee Chau, president director of Cargill’s PT Hindoli, said, “Fires and the resulting smoke and haze severely impact the health and livelihoods of thousands of people living in our local communities. We have a strict zero burning policy at Cargill. Protecting against fires is a collective effort shared by all stakeholders and we work closely with the community to take proactive steps to mitigate against the risk of fires.”

In 2016, together with the Ministry of Forestry and Environment of Indonesia, Cargill launched the Cargill Fire Free Village Program aimed at empowering local communities in fire prevention and control by focusing on fire deterrence and detection, monitoring and suppression. To date, Cargill’s Fire Free Village Program has involved 7 fire-prone villages in four districts in South Sumatra.

Cargill runs a similar Fire Free Village Program at its Poliplant Group plantation in West Kalimantan, where workshops have been organized for over 100 residents from 19 village communities in the sub-districts of Air Upas, Marau and Jelai Hulu and Kendawangan.

Cargill has enforced a strict no-burning policy since 2005 and more recently, reinforced this commitment through its sustainable palm oil policy. In 2014, Cargill signed a no-burning pledge to help prevent land and plantation fires in South Sumatra and West Kalimantan. It is a comprehensive program that includes investments in new fire-fighting equipment, maintenance of existing fire-fighting assets and personnel, as well as the construction of water canals as part of the company’s fire suppression efforts.