AAK, Nestlé, and Musim collaborate to tackle deforestation

Swedish vegetable oils and fats producer AAK has collaborated with Nestlé and palm oil corporation Musim Mas in a 5-year program to address deforestation outside of palm oil concession areas in Aceh, Indonesia.

The program aims to support around 1,000 independent smallholders in Aceh, which hosts 87 percent of the Leuser Ecosystem, a forest area vital for biodiversity and carbon storage.

The Leuser ecosystem provides habitats for a number of endangered wildlife species while acting as life support for around four million people who live around it by providing water, flood control, climate regulation, soil fertility, and pest mitigation.

AAK and Nestlé will initially provide funding for the first two years to provide government extension officers with training in best agricultural practices.

In turn, the officers will train palm oil smallholders.

Caroline Westerik-Sikking, global manager Sustainable Oils at AAK added that the partnership can significantly contribute to the protection and preservation of an important landscape and positively impacts on the livelihoods of the smallholders involved.