Palm oil business PT Dharma Satya Nusantara strikes monitoring deal with Satelligence
PIc: Satelligence
Palm oil business PT Dharma Satya Nusantara (DSNG) has reportedly reaped rewards from a fresh partnership deal with Satelligence delivering a high-tech solution for real-time deforestation risk monitoring across company concession areas, writes Neill Barston.
The move comes as many companies in the sector face increasing pressure from governments, consumers and environmental groups to ensure maximum transparency of operating to ethical standards, particularly within product categories linked to confectionery and snacks segments.
Since the end of last year, the agreement, which concerns DSNG’s commitment on sustainable operations in Indonesia, aligns it with the Company’s No Deforestation, No Peat Development, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy throughout the supply chain, as part of a two year venture.
Through this partnership, the palm oil firm is able to monitor all its concessions through accurate satellite monitoring, with the company citing Satelligence technology for its ability to evaluate deforestation performance, identify fire hotspots, and supplier engagement support with carefully curated and real-time data-driven insights.
“This strategic collaboration will further enhance DSNG’s commitment to deforestation-free operations throughout the Company’s supply chain. In addition, this partnership would address broader benefits for forest conservation initiative,” explained Denys Collin Munang, Chief Sustainability Officer PT Dharma Satya Nusantara Tbk.
Denys added that by 2022, DSNG had successfully conserved approximately 11,800 hectares of forest within its concession areas. Outside the company’s concessions, DSNG has also partnered with USAID-SEGAR in conservation efforts covering an area of approximately 3,000 hectares.
The utilisation of this technology has also supported the Indonesian government’s efforts to reduce bush fire incident, especially in the palm oil sector. According to independent analysis from Satelligence, since 2022, the palm oil sector has not been the primary cause of bush fire in Indonesia. The number of bush fire incidents has significantly dropped since the implementation of the NDPE policy in 2015, adopted by many stakeholders, including palm oil sector.
With Satelligence’s systems in place, DSN is able to focus on individual mills, assess their deforestation performance, identify fire hotspots, and back their supplier engagement up with collaborative, curated data-driven insights.
“Technology plays a crucial role in supporting a sustainable palm oil industry. The utilization of satellites as an eye in the sky will enhance forest conservation by providing the real-time and accurate deforestation risks monitoring,” stated Niels Wielaard, CEO of Satelligence.
