PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) in Indonesia are being strengthened through a new cross-sector collaboration. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) and the Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association (APHI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in wildfire prevention on Thursday (October 16, 2025).
GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono emphasized that tackling forest fires cannot be done in isolation. He stressed that multi-sector collaboration is key to achieving the national target of zero land fires. “The private sector can play a vital role in supporting wildfire control efforts,” Eddy said in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com, Tuesday (October 21, 2025).
This cooperation follows a recent roadshow by Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, who reviewed the readiness of the palm oil plantation sector to prevent land fires across Indonesia.
Also Read:
Under the new partnership, GAPKI and APHI will work together to empower local communities, build local capacity, and develop community-based mechanisms for wildfire prevention. The joint program aims to raise awareness and strengthen local capability to manage natural resources without using fire.
One key initiative under the collaboration is the establishment of Fire-Aware Villages (Desa Peduli Api) and Fire-Aware Farmer Groups (Kelompok Tani Peduli Api) as cross-sector pilot projects. These programs will serve as platforms for education, training, and community engagement in early-stage fire prevention around forest and plantation areas.
APHI Chairman Soewarso added that the partnership goes beyond education and community empowerment. It will also focus on enhancing technology and innovation in fire control. “Through this MoU, we aim to establish coordination mechanisms, joint patrols, and a rapid-response system for wildfire threats,” he explained.
Also Read: GAPKI Stresses Protection for Women and Children Workers in the Palm Oil Industry
Furthermore, GAPKI and APHI will collaborate in developing technology, facilities, and infrastructure for fire prevention, as well as improving the technical skills of field personnel.
This collaboration between two of Indonesia’s leading business associations marks a strategic move to strengthen synergy between the forestry and plantation sectors — demonstrating that the private sector has a crucial role to play in protecting the environment and preventing ecological disasters. (P2)
