InfoSAWIT, MEDAN — Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food reaffirmed its commitment to building a more responsible palm oil industry through the 11th SMART SEED Supplier Engagement Forum, held on Tuesday (11/11) in Medan, North Sumatra. More than 100 supplier companies gathered with buyers, academics, NGOs, and internal company representatives to strengthen sustainability across the supply chain.
Carrying the theme “GAR’s Sustainability Journey: Collective for Impact, Together in Action”, the forum emphasized the need to move beyond written commitments and focus on measurable actions — from traceability to environmental protection and smallholder empowerment.
Opening the forum, Ian Suwarganda, Director of Sustainable Supply and Production, stated, “We cannot achieve a sustainable palm oil supply chain alone. Real change happens when everyone moves together.”
The forum included updates on the company’s progress within the Collective for Impact framework and reaffirmed alignment with NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) principles.
The first session highlighted updates to the NDPE Implementation Reporting Framework (NDPE IRF), particularly the transition to Version 6.0. The new model strengthens emission reporting measures and expands coverage across three supply sources: owned operations, independent estates, and smallholders.
Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food recorded 99% implementation of NDPE IRF Version 5.8 (Delivering category) in 2024 and targets establishing a baseline for Version 6.0 by the end of 2025.
The second session focused on human rights and smallholder empowerment, including programs such as Sawit Terampil, human rights training, and updates to the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) system.
Awards for Outstanding Suppliers and Partners
To strengthen collaboration, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food recognized 13 suppliers and partners for strong sustainability performance. 6 companies received the Human Rights Transformation Award. 6 others earned the Carbon Data Collaboration Award.
A special award was given to the KJSLJ – Sawit Terampil cooperative for empowering smallholders and advancing sustainable cultivation.
Lesmana of Inecda Plantation said, “This award is not just recognition but a reminder that human rights are about people — they require consistency and care.”
About Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food
Operating under Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), the company manages one of the world’s largest palm oil plantation portfolios, covering more than half a million hectares including plasma smallholders. Its operations span upstream to downstream — from cultivation, FFB processing, CPO refining, to producing cooking oil, margarine, shortening, biodiesel, and global trade.
Established in 1996 and listed on the Singapore Exchange, GAR holds a market capitalization of US$2.5 billion as of June 2025. PT SMART Tbk, listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange since 1992, is one of its key subsidiaries. (T2)
