Since its founding in 1979, Asian Agri has grown to become one of the world’s leading palm oil producers, managing 100,000 hectares of land comprising 27 sustainably-managed plantations. Integral to its success over the past four decades is its close partnership with the thousands of smallholder farmers, who collectively manage another 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations.

On 28-29 November 2016, a group of approximately 55 students of Master of Public Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore (NUS) visited APRIL and Asian Agri, two world-class companies in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau Province, Indonesia. The visit was a study trip program as part of the flagship Governance Study Project (GSP). The purpose of the visit was to learn from APRIL and Asian Agri how they are operating their businesses sustainably, while at the same time supporting the development of rural areas in Indonesia.

The year 2016 marked the fruition of several strategic business initiatives for RGE and our business groups. Yet, even in the midst of growth, RGE has not forgotten about giving back to the community, supporting the country, and being responsible stewards of the climate.

The beauty of the Pelalawan, with its dense forests, gushing streams and abundant wildlife, has long made the regency a start attraction of the Riau Province, drawing visitors and adventurers from the region and beyond. Its wondrous flora and fauna have also served as inspiration to local batik makers, who have attempted to capture the resplendence of the land through the native art form.

I’m Jessica Chandra from the Singapore Management University, and this is my third year being a part of Project Sukacita, a community service project supported by Tanoto Foundation. For Project Sukacita V, my role is that of a mentor to the project leader, and what motivates me going back to Pangkalan Kerinci again and again for the project is mainly the heart-warming feeling I get from the interaction with the locals.

Asian Agri took another step on its journey towards operational excellence when it was recognised with the Company Performance Improvement Award (Green Category) or the Penilaian Programme Peningkatan Kinerja Perusahaan, by Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, M.Sc.