Lang
Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), the integrated palm oil producer, has announced a new agreement to accelerate innovation in sustainable palm oil in partnership with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).
Agreement To Strengthen Scientific Research Into Sustainable Palm Oil
In a memorandum of understanding signed in Jakarta, the two parties committed to extending their partnership into a new phase of progress aimed at tackling key challenges facing the palm oil sector. The agreement builds on more than 25 years of scientific collaboration between CIRAD and the SMART Research Institute (SMARTRI), GAR's main research centre.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Eric Lombard, France's Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, during the Indonesia-France Business Forum 2025, held on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Indonesia aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.
A Long-Standing Partnership
The relationship between GAR and CIRAD began in 1996 and has been reinforced over the years through successive agreements covering topics such as sustainable palm oil production, environmental management and precision agriculture. Around 550 billion Indonesian rupiah has been jointly invested in research and development since the collaboration began.
In partnership with WWF Indonesia, GAR and CIRAD established the International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE), held every two years. At the most recent edition in February 2025, leading global researchers and early-career academics presented the latest research on topics such as climate adaptation and biodiversity protection.
The partnership has also contributed to major international research initiatives such as the Sustainable Palm Oil Production (SPOP) project, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), and the Oil Palm Genome Project (OPGP) consortium.
Addressing Key Challenges
Through the memorandum of understanding, both parties reaffirmed their joint commitment to developing practical, science-based solutions to advance sustainable palm oil practices, with a focus on strengthening scientific knowledge, improving resilience to climate change and boosting productivity across the sector.
The renewed partnership will include joint investment in research and development activities, including modelling plant performance and simulating the effects of climate change, with the aim of protecting and improving the livelihoods of palm oil farmers amid growing climate risks.
Thie Piao Ling, Chief Executive Officer of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, GAR's Indonesian subsidiary, said:
"Our partnership with CIRAD brings together world-class scientific expertise with field research that addresses the realities of Indonesia's palm oil sector. It allows us to develop innovative, practical and scalable solutions, not only for our own plantations but also for independent smallholder farmers across Indonesia."
The partnership also aims to support Indonesia's food security and self-sufficiency goals while reducing carbon emissions, through the development of new agroforestry models within the palm oil sector.
Jean-Marc Roda, CIRAD's Regional Director for the Island Nations of Southeast Asia, added:
"Our partnership with GAR shows how international collaborations can combine scientific rigour with practical outcomes. It enables us to address major sustainability challenges such as climate adaptation, land-use efficiency and smallholder inclusion. It is a truly integrated approach to transforming the sector."
About GAR
GAR is a leading integrated agribusiness company. In Indonesia, it manages more than 500,000 hectares of oil palm plantations (including smallholder plasma plantations) as of 31 March 2025.
Its operations focus on technology-driven production and distribution of a wide range of palm oil products, supported by an established international marketing network.
The company was established in 1996 and listed on the Singapore Exchange in 1999, with a market capitalisation of US$2.6 billion as of 31 March 2025. Flambo International Limited is its largest shareholder, holding a 50.56% stake.
Its subsidiary, PT SMART Tbk, has been listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange since 1992.
GAR operates an integrated supply chain spanning responsible production to global delivery, including the cultivation and harvesting of oil palms, the processing of fresh fruit bunches into crude palm oil and palm kernel, and the refining of oil into value-added products such as cooking oil, margarine, shortening, biodiesel and oleochemicals, which are marketed globally.
GAR also operates complementary businesses in China (soybean-based products), India (sunflower oil products) and the sugar sector.
About CIRAD
CIRAD is the French agricultural research centre working for international cooperation on sustainable development in tropical and Mediterranean regions.
It works with partners to build knowledge and solutions for resilient agricultural systems in a more sustainable and inclusive world, harnessing science, innovation and training to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Its areas of expertise include supporting stakeholders from farmers to policymakers, with a focus on biodiversity protection, agroecological transitions, sustainable food systems, plant, animal and ecosystem health, sustainable rural development, and climate resilience.
CIRAD operates in around 50 countries across several continents, employs 1,750 staff, including 1,200 researchers, and draws on a global network of around 200 partners, while also supporting France's scientific diplomacy efforts.