PANDAWA Agri Indonesia (PAI), the first Indonesian life science-based company with innovation in pesticide reductants, has announced its three sustainability frameworks to fast-track agriculture in Indonesia.
Called 3 PROs, these frameworks are: 1) protecting the environment, 2) prospering the people, and 3) promoting responsible business practices.
PAI’s initiatives in implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles aim to accelerate the transition of Indonesian agriculture into a more sustainable sector.
PAI seeks to contribute significantly in reducing pesticides usage in more than 2 million hectares of plantations by which more than 16,500 spray workers and farmers could be protected from overexposure to hazardous chemicals from pesticides.
In addition to developing innovative reductants, PAI also helps develop smallholder ecosystems to further encourage the creation of a sustainable agricultural ecosystem at the grassroots level.
In the upstream, farmers are provided with technology and climate-smart agriculture approach in managing their cultivation. In the downstream, assistance in integrated post-harvest management is extended.
Such an ecosystem is already in place for rice farmers, coffee growers and chili farmers. Smallholders powered by PAI’s innovations reportedly increased crop productivity by up to 53 percent leading to enhanced income as the crops were bought at competitive prices.
PAI works in tandem with Rabo Foundation, the impact lending arm of Rabobank group, to strengthen financial inclusion through the distribution of inclusive smallholders financing. More than IDR 5 billion ($330,000) in total financing through productive credit and product off-taking has already been facilitated for smallholders.
The strategic steps taken by PAI reaped support from Dr. Ir. Musdhalifah Machmud, M.T., deputy minister for Food and Agribusiness Coordination, of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia.
“PAI’s initiatives really support the government’s plan to implement a green economy as one of the main strategies for economic transformation. These efforts also support the acceleration of economic recovery post-Covid-19 pandemic, as well as encourage the creation of inclusive and sustainable economic development,” Dr. Machmud said.
By continuing its focus on providing a positive impact on the agricultural community and employees while also maintaining good corporate governance, PAI is optimistic that Indonesian agriculture would transform to become healthier, sustainable and safer for the environment.
