InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Amidst the increasing threat of global climate change, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen Indonesia's agricultural resilience through sustainable innovation and cross-sector collaboration. This message was delivered at the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (IISF) 2025.
In the forum, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food highlighted the strategic role of the palm oil industry in supporting national food security. The company believes that increased productivity must go hand-in-hand with efforts to protect communities and natural ecosystems.
The company is strengthening its contribution through concrete initiatives such as the Sawit Terampil (Skilled Palm Oil) program and support for the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation (PSR). Both programs aim to assist smallholders in adopting sustainable farming practices and increasing yields without environmental damage.
Anita Neville, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, stated that the company is committed to empowering smallholders as an essential part of the sustainable palm oil supply chain. Through the Collective for Impact framework, the company targets training 100,000 smallholders by 2035, focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to enhance efficiency, productivity, and economic resilience against climate change.
In a panel session on "Feeding the Future: Sustainable Innovation to Boost Agricultural Productivity," Neville stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to achieve national food security.
Furthermore, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food actively collaborates with various international partners such as IDH, Greenhope, and PepsiCo. The company is also committed to research on climate-resilient planting materials and exploring new income opportunities based on nature-based solutions, such as the use of biochar.
In another panel, Dr. Götz Martin, CEO of Nature-Based Solutions at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, emphasized the need to build green business models with strong economic foundations.
"Green businesses will not succeed just because they are 'green.' They will succeed because they have a sustainable business model, capable of delivering tangible benefits for the planet and for the community," he said.
Beyond agriculture, the company supports local economies by empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). At the IISF 2025 pavilion, the company showcased value-added products from village entrepreneurs, part of over 100 MSMEs supported through the Bright Future Initiative.
Through the synergy of technological innovation, farmer training, planting material research, and cross-sector collaboration, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food demonstrates that sustainability is a long-term strategy for ensuring food security, community welfare, and environmental preservation go hand-in-hand. (T2)
