Cargill Helps Build Oil Palm Teaching Farm in Indonesia

MINNEAPOLISCargill is collaborating with the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), an agriculture institute in Indonesia, to build the countrys first oil palm teaching farm that will provide high-quality and industry-standards training on the latest plantation production and management techniques.

As part of the agreement, Cargill will contribute $255,000 to the construction of the palm oil teaching farm named IPB-Cargill Kebun Pendidikan Kelapa Sawit (IPB-Cargill Oil Palm Teaching Farm). Cargill also will leverage the teaching farm to conduct training for its employees as well as lend its expertise to joint research projects with IPB. The institute will conduct at least two research projects each year using sustainable resources, with guidance provided by Cargill.

The farm will also serve as a reference to other palm oil companies in the application for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.

We are proud to be setting an industry-leading example with this partnership, the first-ever initiative between a commercial oil palm grower and an educational institution. This is a demonstration of the significant role played by education in realizing next generation industry experts who appreciate and understand the importance of sustainable practices in palm oil. These future professionals will help to further industry standards on palm oil sustainability," said Angeline Ooi, CEO, Cargill Tropical Palm.