PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) reaffirms its commitment to sustainable palm oil production. The company advances this strategy through innovation, inclusivity, and technology.
“At Astra Agro Lestari, we are building an inclusive, technology-based, and environmentally friendly agricultural model. A model that can ensure future food security through a combination of innovation, partnerships, and sustainability,” said President Director of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, Djap Tet Fa, while speaking at the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (IISF) on Friday, October 10th.
At IISF 2025 at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Djap Tet Fa shared insights and best practices from palm oil plantation companies to strengthen food security in line with sustainability principles.
The IISF 2025 Forum, themed “Investing for a Resilient, Sustainable, and Prosperous World,” will feature over 250 speakers and more than 100 global business leaders and philanthropists. The forum highlights Indonesia’s commitment to green economic transition, food security, and renewable energy.
The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who delivered the remarks, emphasised that developing countries like Indonesia need to forge their own path toward sustainable development, without imitating the patterns of developed countries.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. We cannot achieve progress by sacrificing the environment or financial stability. “Investment and sustainability must go hand in hand,” said AHY.
Aligning with the Coordinating Minister’s emphasis on realistic, future-oriented strategies, Astra Agro Lestari has developed a sustainable agriculture model based on public-private collaboration.
During the “Sustainable Agriculture” discussion, Djap Tet Fa highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships for long-term food security.
He explained that ‘sustainable intensification,’ producing more from existing land without expansion, is central to Astra Agro Lestari’s strategy.
Key initiatives include rejuvenating old plantations with superior varieties to boost productivity without expanding land use. Astra Agro also promotes research and innovation, such as developing organic biofertilizers to improve soil health, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, and lower carbon emissions.
Astra Agro Lestari prioritizes the inclusion of smallholder farmers. “No one left behind,” Djap Tet Fa emphasized. The company provides equal access to planting materials, fertilizers, financing, and training for partner farmers.
Astra Agro Lestari prioritizes digital technology, including drones, artificial intelligence, and data analysis, to monitor plantation health and optimize harvest efficiency. The company also implements the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard and the no deforestation, peatland conservation, and respect for human rights (NDPE) policy, demonstrating its commitment to responsible, transparent, and deforestation-free practices.
Empowering Smallholder Farmers Through Technology
Djap Tet Fa emphasized that smallholder palm oil farmers are Astra Agro’s key partners in advancing food security and industry sustainability.
“Our mission is simple: small farmers must grow with us, not be left behind,” he emphasised.
Through the Smallholder Inclusion Program, Astra Agro Lestari has partnered with thousands of farmers to build a more resilient and modern agricultural ecosystem.
The program offers capacity building for farmers through field training in pest management, precision fertilization, and sustainable land management.
Astra Agro also provides market access and financing by purchasing harvests directly from partner farmers through transparent long-term contracts, as well as supporting access to financial institutions. Digitalisation is no less important in supporting all of the company’s programs. Astra Agro optimises the use of digital platforms for real-time planning of harvest shipments, price monitoring, and agronomic consultations.
President Director Djap Tet Fa emphasized that empowering smallholder farmers is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic investment in the resilience of the national agricultural system.
“When farmers have access to tools, skills, and markets, they become true partners in strengthening national food security and ensuring the sustainability benefits are felt by all parties,” he concluded.
Through these initiatives, Astra Agro Lestari demonstrates that productivity and sustainability are complementary, forming a unified vision for a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible agricultural future.
Concrete actions such as those by Astra Agro Lestari are essential to Indonesia’s journey toward a sustainable future.
