The Group avoids land-clearing in very steep areas, marginal soils and areas with high conservation values or high carbon stocks. In hilly areas, terraces, roads and drains are designed to minimise soil erosion and prevent landslides, as well as conserving water and nutrients. In areas with very high rainfall such as Bengkulu, silt pits and stop bunds are also built on terraces to reduce excessive wash-outs and control erosion.
Stop Bunds on a Terrace at PT TR
A Silt Pit and Stop Bund for Water and Erosion Control
Terracing standard
Thick undergrowth of legumes such as Mucuna bracteata is standard practice in the estates immature areas to conserve soil moisture, control erosion, prevent weeds and optimise fertiliser usage. In mature areas, cut fronds are strategically stacked to conserve moisture and prevent washouts. In most inter-rows the growth of soft grasses and Nephrolepis sp are also greatly encouraged to act as ground cover. Some of our estates also practice the application of Palm Oil Mill Eflluent (POME) on palm rows. All these are efforts to conserve soil quality and reduce the usage of chemical fertilisers.
Thick Nephrolepis on the Palm Inter-rows
Field Application of Empty Fruit Bunches at PT Ukindo
Mill Discharge Applied as Organic Fertilisers as part of our Zero-Waste Efforts
