InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food (SMAF) and the French agricultural research institution CIRAD have officially renewed their strategic partnership to strengthen the development of sustainable palm oil practices in Indonesia. The signing of the latest memorandum of understanding (MoU) marks the continuation of a collaborative relationship that has been established since 1996.
For nearly three decades, this partnership has driven joint investments totaling over IDR 550 billion in various research and development (R&D) programs, encompassing sustainable palm oil production, environmental management, and precision agriculture technologies.
This collaboration also involves WWF Indonesia as one of the founders of the International Conference on Oil Palm and the Environment (ICOPE), which will be held again in February 2025. In the latest edition of the conference, international researchers and young academics will present new findings related to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in the palm oil sector.
In an official statement obtained by InfoSAWIT on Sunday (June 1, 2025), SMAF's CEO, The Biao Leng, emphasized the importance of synergy between global science and field research in addressing the challenges of the national palm oil industry. “Our partnership with CIRAD enables the development of innovative and practical solutions, not only for our plantations but also for independent farmers across Indonesia,” Leng stated.
The latest MoU expands the scope of cooperation in developing crop models and simulating the impacts of climate change. The goal is to assist palm oil farmers in enhancing productivity and resilience against increasing climate risks.
Additionally, this collaboration contributes to several international research projects, such as Sustainable Palm Oil Production (SPOP) funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), and the International Oil Palm Genome Projects (OPGP) consortium, aimed at expanding the genetic understanding of oil palm plants.
Jean-Marc Roda, CIRAD's Regional Director for Southeast Asian Island Countries, described this partnership as a model for sustainable transformation in the palm oil sector. “Our collaboration combines scientific rigor with real-world impact, addressing key challenges such as land use efficiency, climate resilience, and smallholder engagement,” he said.
Through the agroforestry approach developed in this collaboration, SMAF and CIRAD also contribute to strengthening national food security and reducing carbon emissions, in line with Indonesia's sustainable development agenda. (T2)
