PALMOILMAGAZINE, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN – Palm oil producer Bumitama Gunajaya Agro is stepping up its forest and land fire prevention measures across Central Kalimantan as Indonesia enters the 2026 dry season, reinforcing preparedness efforts through multi-stakeholder cooperation and community-based fire management programs.
The company has launched wildfire readiness initiatives across its three main operational regions—Pundu, Kotawaringin, and Mentaya—working closely with local governments, disaster management agencies, security forces, and surrounding communities to strengthen early prevention and response systems.
The preparedness activities involve sub-district leadership forums (Forkopimcam), regional disaster management agencies (BPBD), the Indonesian military and police, Manggala Agni fire brigades, and the company’s internal firefighting teams.
Also Read: Indonesia Raises June 2026 Biodiesel Price Index to IDR 14,643 Per Liter
With approximately 184,000 hectares under management, comprising 66 percent nucleus estates and 34 percent smallholder plasma plantations, maintaining fire readiness remains a critical component of BGA’s sustainability strategy and environmental stewardship efforts.
The company’s preparedness program extends beyond firefighting equipment and infrastructure. It includes firefighter training, emergency simulations, equipment inspections, and enhanced field coordination designed to accelerate response times should fire risks emerge during the peak dry season.
The initiative reflects BGA’s broader commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production. In 2025, the company produced approximately 1.25 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) from 5.65 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) processed across its operations.
Also Read: INSTIPER and BGA Introduce Autonomous Fertilizer Tractor to Boost Efficiency in Oil Palm Plantations
Raw material supplies came from a diverse sourcing base, with 39 percent originating from nucleus estates, 21 percent from plasma smallholders, and another 39 percent from independent smallholders. The company recorded sales of Rp19.95 trillion during 2025, with its entire production absorbed by the domestic market.
Beyond strengthening internal preparedness, BGA continues to promote active community participation in wildfire prevention. One of its flagship initiatives is the Fire-Free Village Program, supported by the establishment of Community Fire Awareness Groups (MPA), which serve as the first line of defense in monitoring and responding to potential fire incidents.
The program aims to discourage land-clearing practices involving fire while equipping local residents with the knowledge and skills needed to detect and address fire hotspots before they escalate.
Also Read: Indonesia’s KPBN CPO Price Slips to IDR 15,050/kg as Malaysian Palm Oil Extends Losses
Community involvement is considered a vital component of wildfire prevention, as local residents possess extensive knowledge of the surrounding landscape and can often respond more quickly to early warning signs.
Throughout 2026, BGA is collaborating with 12 villages located near its operational areas in Central Kalimantan to strengthen community-based fire prevention systems. The partnership is designed to build greater resilience among both plantation areas and rural communities against the heightened fire risks associated with prolonged dry weather.
Through a collaborative approach involving businesses, government institutions, emergency services, and local communities, BGA aims to minimize wildfire risks, safeguard the environment, and ensure that economic and social activities can continue safely throughout the dry season. (P2)
