Jakarta, June 10, 2026 – Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has recognized PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) for its biodiversity conservation initiatives, noting their positive impact on Indonesia’s national biodiversity targets. BRIN delivered this assessment during a field visit to Astra Agro’s operations in Central Kalimantan on June 4–5, 2026.
Ruliyana Susanti, Executive Secretary of BRIN’s Scientific Authority for Biodiversity Secretariat, stated that Astra Agro’s efforts, such as protecting High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, monitoring biodiversity, and rehabilitating ecosystems, make meaningful contributions to preserving Indonesia’s biodiversity. She also commended the company’s transparency in sharing its biodiversity management and conservation practices.
The visit is part of BRIN’s study on private sector contributions to national and global biodiversity targets, focusing on Target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and National Target 18 of the Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP) 2025–2045. It also supports data collection and documentation of private sector efforts in biodiversity conservation in Indonesia.
Ruliyana emphasized that collaboration between research institutions and the private sector is essential to enhance data, knowledge, and best practices, supporting science-based policymaking and advancing national conservation goals.
Hubbal Khoir Sembiring, Astra Agro’s Director of Operations for Central Kalimantan, stated that BRIN’s visit demonstrates the company’s commitment to transparency in implementing its sustainability initiatives.
“In the palm oil industry, deforestation, habitat protection, peatland management, fire prevention, emissions reduction, and supply chain traceability remain key concerns for stakeholders. Through this visit, Astra Agro aims to showcase its conservation initiatives and invite feedback and collaboration to further strengthen biodiversity preservation efforts,” he said.
As part of its biodiversity management strategy, Astra Agro protects and manages High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) areas, conserves natural ecosystems including river buffers, secondary forests, and peatlands, and prohibits development in areas with significant conservation or carbon stock value.
The company also enhances biodiversity monitoring by inventorying and documenting flora and fauna across its operational areas. These efforts support the assessment of biodiversity trends, identification of key species, and evaluation of conservation management effectiveness. In 2025, Astra Agro monitored 1,579 flora species and 755 fauna species, and rehabilitated 193.09 hectares of land by planting 49,390 trees.
Astra Agro also uses biological pest control, employing natural predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens as environmentally friendly solutions. The company has developed ASTEMIC biofertilizer to enhance soil microorganism activity and nutrient availability. Additionally, empty fruit bunches (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) are used as organic matter to support sustainable soil fertility.
Using Nature-based Solutions and an Ecosystem-Based Approach, Astra Agro protects natural ecosystems, rehabilitates riparian areas, conducts reforestation, monitors umbrella species, and manages landscapes integrally. These actions support habitat protection, biodiversity enhancement, emissions reduction, increased carbon sequestration, and greater ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Through its collaboration with BRIN, Astra Agro aims for its conservation practices to contribute to scientific studies on private sector participation in achieving biodiversity targets. This partnership also demonstrates that the palm oil industry can play a meaningful role in conservation through transparent, traceable, and environmentally responsible management.
Source: Liputan 6
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