In a small village in the interior of Central Sulawesi, surrounded by vast stretches of palm oil plantations, a girl named Novita Sari often harvests oyster mushrooms from hundreds of baglogs. A baglog refers to the plastic containers, made from heat-resistant polypropylene, in which the mushrooms grow. The cylindrical bags are neatly arranged in a…
Fatur Rachman Hidayat is the young man behind the formation of the Inisiasi Muda organization in a rural village near one of Astra Agro’s business entities, PT Letawa, located in Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi. While his peers were focused on personal development, Fatur thought outside the box and started this non-profit organization on his own…
In 2022, three subsidiaries of Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro)—namely, PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT), PT Mamuang, and PT Agro Nusa Abadi (ANA)—were the subject of complaints filed by Friends of the Earth (FoE) US and Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi). These complaints pertained to allegations of land grabbing and the criminalization of farmers,…
Riparian ecosystems or riverbanks are habitats for various types of plants and animals, which play an important role in maintaining biodiversity. This boundary line also has vital ecological functions, such as maintaining water quality, preventing erosion, and reducing flood impacts.Because riverbanks are very important for the sustainability of the ecosystems living within them, Astra Agro…
The United Nations Human Rights Council (OHCHR) has issued a statement concerning allegations against PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro). In its publication, OHCHR has acknowledged the clarifications provided by both the Indonesian Government and Astra Agro. Furthermore, OHCHR has appointed a special rapporteur as an independent party tasked with monitoring developments related to…
An indigenous people’s forum serves as a platform for local communities to share their aspirations, needs, and challenges, particularly regarding land rights, education, health, and the economy. Astra Agro recognizes the significance of creating a discussion space that aids in the survival and cultural development of indigenous peoples through the establishment of an inclusive and…
PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) and its subsidiary, PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT), invited Walhi and Friends of the Earth (FoE) to discuss and provide feedback on the report titled “No Consent: Astra Agro Lestari’s Land Grab in Central and West Sulawesi,” published in 2022. The report accuses PT LTT of claiming 1,505…
Limitations can have two outcomes: they may act as barriers if ignored, or they can become opportunities when explored. This is the experience of Pokdakan (Fisheries Cultivation Group) Maju Bersama in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, who chose the latter in facing their challenges. The group faced constraints due to the limited and expensive supply…
Stunting has emerged as a significant national issue, as it poses a substantial barrier to achieving the objectives associated with the 2045 Golden Generation. In alignment with the principle of “Prospering with the Nation,” Astra Agro is endeavoring to assist the government in actualizing its vision of developing high-quality and competitive Indonesian youth. It is…
A group of Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) women proudly walked home, joyfully carrying their harvest of long beans and cucumbers. Despite the weight, their smiles radiated happiness. These crops symbolize their bright future of economic and food independence, reflecting their hard work and determination. It’s inspiring to witness their journey toward self-sufficiency! The thriving crops…
The contribution of smallholder farmers is essential to sustainable oil palm plantation practices within the supply chain. The smallholder farmers contributed a significant role as a source of fruit supply for Astra Agro’s palm oil mills. One such farmer is Sabar, who has been in partnership with PT Sawit Jaya Abadi (PT SJA), a subsidiary…
To create an inclusive environment on palm oil plantations, supporting facilities are essential, particularly for mothers who work or live nearby. A key feature of the facility is a daycare center specifically designed for the children of employees. The daycare facilities across Astra Agro’s subsidiaries are well-equipped with various amenities, including a playroom filled with…
In the agribusiness sector, pests present a significant challenge. Plantation companies often resort to using pesticides to manage these pests. However, in alignment with sustainability principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), businesses must ensure that their operations do not harm the environment. To address pest threats, Astra Agro Lestari employs environmentally friendly methods, opting…
Plastic waste has become one of the most significant global environmental issues today. The excessive amount of discarded single-use plastics fills up various locations, and plastic can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. This long decomposition time can lead to serious environmental damage, including soil pollution and threats to marine life. Addressing this issue…
In the era of social media, sales patterns are gradually shifting from offline to online. This transition presents a significant opportunity for local businesses, as promoting their products has become more manageable and their reach has expanded. One group of local businesses taking advantage of this change is PT Perkebunan Lembah Bhakti (PT PLB), a…
As a member of the Anak Dalam tribe, Pauzan has experienced several challenges in getting an education. Besides limited facilities, the perception among Suku Anak Dalam about education still tends to be unfavourable. Therefore, Pauzan’s journey through education was not smooth. At first, he thought he would only be part of the unemployed youth just…
A girl in a light blue uniform eagerly raises her hand when the teacher asks her to solve an arithmetic problem on the blackboard. Based on her appearance, she looks old enough to be in the 6th grade of elementary or junior high school. However, she is still learning the curriculum typically covered in the…
In a vast oil palm plantation, the blacksmith profession is the least job that we expected to find. This profession, which is synonymous with legends and historical stories such as the story of Mpu Gandhring’s Keris, is rarely found in the current Indonesian society. However, if we walk down the streets around Saruddu Village, Sulawesi,…
Mengubah Tantangan Limbah Menjadi Peluang di Kebun Sawit Collaboration between Astra Agro and Community in Managing Domestic Waste Various Efforts to Manage and Recycle Domestic Waste in the Community. Climate change and environmental pollution by waste are issues that are often highlighted, and waste management efforts have become an essential issue in the global…
