Pekanbaru (Agrofarm.co.id) — PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, through its Riau Province business units, reaffirmed its commitment to its Sustainability Policy, especially the no-burning principle for forest and land fire prevention, by actively participating in the Forest and Land Fire Prevention Preparedness Roll Call in Pekanbaru.
The event provided an opportunity to strengthen cross-sector coordination in response to increasing fire risks in 2026.
During the preparedness roll call in Riau on Saturday (April 25, 2026), Indonesia’s Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance against forest and land fire threats this year.
A prolonged dry season expected to coincide with El Niño and reduced rainfall are key factors increasing fire risk. Hanif urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant, especially in Riau, which has extensive peatlands.
“Low rainfall and highly vulnerable peat conditions will significantly increase the potential for drought. Riau is among the regions with high vulnerability, especially with peatlands covering nearly half of its land area and more than 13,000 kilometers of canals,” he stated during the event.
In response, Astra Agro has made peatland management a core strategy for preventing forest and land fires.
Peat ecosystems, highly sensitive to climate change, are managed through an integrated approach to maintain hydrological stability and minimize fire risks as part of long-term operational risk mitigation.
Vice President Vice President of Corporate Communication Mochamad Husni stated that since 2015, the company has not conducted new land clearing on either peat or mineral soils.gement is carried out through technical monitoring systems, including groundwater level measurements (TMAT) using dipwells and peil scales, rainfall monitoring, and subsidence measurements in accordance with regulations. Water management infrastructure—such as canal blocks and water control structures—is continuously maintained to ensure hydrological balance throughout the year.
“Monitoring results show that groundwater levels in our operational areas remain within a good category. These efforts reinforce the company’s commitment to maintaining the ecological function of peatlands sustainably,” Husni stated.
In addition to peat management, Astra Agro keeps all entities on high alert through structured prevention systems. The company regularly inspects fire prevention facilities and infrastructure to maintain readiness and consistently enforces a zero-burning policy across all operations and supply chains.
These efforts are supported by prevention infrastructure such as watchtowers, water reservoirs, integrated patrols, and technology-based hotspot monitoring to improve detection and response speed. Preparedness is further strengthened by trained fire brigade teams and regular fire response simulatiAs part of its risk-based approach, Astra Agro has conducted in-depth assessments in six fire-prone districts, considering landscape, social, and historical hotspot factors.pects.
The company continues to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration through integrated patrols, strengthening Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) groups, and supporting government programs like the Siak Hijau Regional Action Plan and the Pelalawan Cluster Program.
By strengthening peatland management, operational readiness, and cross-sector collaboration, Astra Agro reaffirms its commitment to reducing fire risks, preserving environmental sustainability, and protecting communities.
Source: Agrofarm.co.id
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