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The project will support 5,400 independent smallholders. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

To advance inclusive and sustainable palm oil production in Indonesia, the Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative have brought together global integrated palm oil group Musim Mas, sweet-packaged food company Ferrero, non-governmental organisation Preferred by Nature, Stichting Agriterra, and the Sustainable Agriculture Network

Funded by the Danish government’s Danida Green Business Partnerships programme, this five-year project aims to support 5,400 independent smallholders in adopting regenerative agricultural practices that improve farming conditions, reduce synthetic inputs, and strengthen climate resilience.

The collaboration will also work to strengthen two farmer organisations and help 2,500 farmers achieve certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standards.

Olivier Tichit, director of communications and sustainability at Musim Mas, said, “Empowering smallholders through training and support is key to building a resilient and sustainable palm oil supply chain. Musim Mas takes a landscape-based approach to sustainability. Across the Smallholder Hubs we operate, we work with governments, suppliers, smallholders, NGOs, and other players in the landscape to achieve sustainability transformation. This project will enable us to contribute in a new dimension with our new partners.”

Nicola Somenzi, head of responsible sourcing at Ferrero, said, “We aim to create a thriving supply chain which benefits farmers’ livelihoods and communities, protecting people and nature. Beyond sourcing RSPO segregated palm oil for our products, our active participation in initiatives like this strengthens the foundation for a resilient and environmentally responsible supply chain that creates long-term value for all.”

 

The company's anniversary year 2025 brings numerous activities, retrospectives and special anniversary offers. (Image source: Pöttinger)

It has been 50 years since Pöttinger Landtechnik GmbH’s entry into the arable farming technology market

The family-owned company based in Grieskirchen, Upper Austria, has been delivering impressive results based on solid expertise in grassland, digital agriculture, tillage, and seed drill technologies. 

Pöttinger  has launched numerous exciting innovations, such as the new SERVO generation of trend-setting ploughs (1988), the particularly rugged LION power harrows (1991) and the SYNKRO linkage-mounted stubble cultivator. More innovative new products followed in recent years, such as the TERRADISC compact disc harrow (2003) and the new generation of TERRASEM mulch seed drills (2004), which set new standards in tillage and sowing technology. Several new innovations also joined the Pöttinger product range during the 2020-2024 period. 

The company's anniversary year 2025 brings numerous activities, retrospectives and special anniversary offers on arable farming equipment, crop care machines, grassland implements, and digital agricultural technology.

Companies displaying a Biome Makers badge also have the opportunity to share their BeCrop Trials results publicly. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Biome Makers has become the first official ecosystem partner to feature on the AgList platform, after their recent collaboration marked a major milestone for the industry

This integration with AgList, the leading independent discovery platform for agricultural biologicals, enables products listed on AgList to feature a Biome Makers badge when they have been tested using Biome Makers' patented BeCrop Trials solution

Companies displaying this badge also have the opportunity to share their BeCrop Trials results publicly, offering unmatched visibility into the real-world performance of their products. For users browsing AgList, the Biome Makers tag is more than a badge is a sign of commitment to independent research, integrity, and industry leadership.

This badge acts as a powerful signal to buyers, agronomists, and retailers alike. Using advanced biological analysis, the product has been independently evaluated under real-world field conditions. By surfacing trusted, third-party data directly on AgList, biological manufacturers now have a new way to differentiate products with scientific validation.

“This partnership is all about increasing transparency and building trust," said co-founder of AgList, Tyler Nuss. "Our goal is to help the industry cut through the noise, and Biome Makers' science-first approach gives credibility to the products that earn their badge." 

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories. (Image source:

Aiming to reduce GHG emissions in the rice industry, leading Asian retailer, DFI Retail Group has launched a low-carbon rice cultivation pilot programme in 2024 in Thailand

DFI seeks to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and enhance environmental awareness among its supply chains. This innovative programme successfully produced 110,000kg of certified low-carbon rice in 2024, achieving a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions on the rice fields compared to conventional cultivation methods.

Rice constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories, accounting for approximately 6% of total Scope 3 emissions based on 2023 data. Traditional rice farming involves flooding fields for extended periods, which creates anaerobic conditions in the soil. This lack of oxygen allows microbes to release methane into the atmosphere, significantly impacting climate change.

In response, DFI collaborated with agricultural experts, the Thai government, and researchers to develop a low-carbon rice cultivation programme. The pilot programme partnered with 30 local farmers to implement sustainable farming techniques. These include:

  • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): The programme uses an irrigation technique called AWD, reducing flooding to about 10 days. This approach not only conserves water, but also reduces methane emissions while maintaining production yields.
  • Straw burning prohibition: Farmers were provided support to eliminate open-field burning of rice straw, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.
  • Soil and fertiliser management: Soil quality and fertiliser application were closely monitored, with guidance from agricultural experts. Soil samples were also analysed to optimise nutrient use and minimise nitrous oxide emissions.

"Beyond value and quality, we are committed to sustainability. This programme exemplifies our dedication to pursuing sustainable goals," said group chief Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs officer, Erica Chan. "We wish to influence the industry, our stakeholders across the value chain to take collective action towards a sustainable future." 

 

The Minister emphasised the availability of suitable technology to produce high quality seeds. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Ministry of Agriculture in Indonesia has decided to set a target to make the country into the world's largest palm oil producer by 2025

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono mentioned Indonesia's target to set prices at the earliest. Furthermore, he urged farmers and palm oil entrepreneurs to view palm oil plantations in the country as high-priority agricultural areas that contribute to the national economy. 

The Minister emphasised the availability of suitable technology to produce high quality seeds. Most importantly, the presence of B50 provides Indonesia the option to optimally absorb its palm oil outputs. To ensure a suitable contribution to the Indonesian economy, the government has also calculated the amount of palm oil that needs to be exported and allocated for domestic use.  

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