Pekanbaru, 18 June 2025 — Asian Agri reinforced its commitment to forest and land fire prevention by presenting the 2024–2025 Fire-Free Village Awards and signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the 2025–2026 program in Pekanbaru, Riau. The event was attended by village representatives, local government officials and members of the community fire prevention group, Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA).
In his remarks, Asian Agri Riau Regional Head Pengarapen Gurusinga said, “Preventing forest and land fires cannot be done unilaterally. It requires strong collaboration, long-term commitment, and synergy among all parties — including companies, village communities, law enforcement, and government agencies. The Fire-Free Village Program is a tangible expression of that spirit.”
In addition, present at the event was Zulfan, head of the Pelalawan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), who expressed appreciation for Asian Agri’s efforts. ”We hope Asian Agri’s initiatives will bring broad benefits in preventing forest and land fires,” he said. “We also look forward to future activities as part of wildfire mitigation efforts, as innovations like these are expected to have a positive impact on Pelalawan Regency.”
The Manggala Agni Coordinator, Head of Region II Section, Edwin Putra, emphasized the importance of wildfire prevention, particularly in high-risk areas, through education, outreach and public awareness campaigns. He highlighted the crucial role of collaboration with the private sector, stressing that companies are responsible for forming trained firefighting teams equipped with government-standard facilities. He also praised Asian Agri’s commitment, citing its dedicated Fire Team, collaboration with Community Fire Awareness Group/ Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA), consistent implementation of the FFVP program and the awarding of fire-free villages as examples of best practices.
At the same event, Asian Agri Fire Assistant Dani Nugraha Syafly announced that two villages in Pelalawan Regency—Segati and Bagan Limau—successfully maintained fire-free status throughout 2024 and were awarded the Fire-Free Village (DBA) recognition. Dani said the program not only promotes fire prevention but also drives real change in local communities. “As a token of appreciation, the villages received incentives in the form of equipment and program support to boost preparedness—such as firefighting gear, strengthening of MPA, and other activities that enhance village resilience to fires,” he said.
The FFVP program is part of Asian Agri’s initiative to empower rural communities to independently prevent and manage fire risks in their areas. Through education, training, and long-term mentoring, the program fosters a culture of fire readiness and response rooted in community awareness and collective responsibility.
To strengthen the program’s long-term impact, Asian Agri signed a memorandum of understanding for the 2025–2026 Fire-Free Village Program with villages located in its operational areas. The agreement includes advanced training for community fire prevention teams, support for early detection and firefighting equipment, a community-based fire reporting system, and performance-based incentives for fire-free villages. Dani said the MoU is intended to make the collaboration between the company and villages more structured and sustainable, while also building community resilience against the dry season and environmental risks.
Asian Agri’s FFVP program is an initiative aimed at preventing land and forest fires around the company’s operational areas. The program reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to its “no burn” policy, which has been in place across all operations since 1994. To ensure a coordinated and sustainable approach to fire prevention, Asian Agri collaborates with various stakeholders, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni, the military (Danramil), and local police.
Launched in 2016, the Fire-Free Village Program aims to build strong collaboration with local communities to raise awareness and encourage participation in preventing land and forest fires. In addition to education, the program promotes environmentally friendly land-clearing methods that do not involve burning. Through this initiative, Asian Agri supports and engages villages surrounding its operational areas, helping residents understand the risks of fires and take an active role in protecting their environment. The program positions local communities as the first line of defense in early fire prevention.
The event concluded with an inspection of Asian Agri’s fire-fighting equipment by the Pelalawan District Fire Department, Manggala Agni and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The activity underscored the company’s commitment to maintaining preparedness for potential fire incidents in the field.
About Asian Agri
Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 20,000 people.
As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth.
Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri’s mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Asian Agri’s plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are full Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.
Please visit Asian Agri’s website for more information and media inquiries may be directed to:
Corporate Communication, Asian Agri
E-mail: communications@asianagri.com
