Cargill Plantations

We aim to uphold rigorous labor and environmental standards on the palm plantations that Cargill owns and operates in alignment with our NDPE policy. (See Supply Chain Footprint.) Cargill adopts an innovative and inclusive approach to managing plantations more sustainably, including in the areas of human rights, labor issues and gender equality in our workforce.

Environmental sustainability

  • Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – We use a GHG calculation tool compliant with RSPO, ISCC and ISPO standards to measure emissions at all our mills and their estate supply base. Methane gas from our palm oil effluent water treatment plant makes up a large part of GHG emissions. To ensure the methane is destroyed before it escapes into the environment, seven methane capture plants are now operational at our mills in Indonesia, collecting methane from our wastewater treatment facilities and turning it into useable energy. Captured methane at our Manis Mata mill in Kalimantan provides residential electricity while captured methane at our Sei Kerandi mill powers the kernel crushing plant operations. 
  • Put byproducts to use and reduce waste – Byproducts from our plantation operations are put to productive use in critical tasks. Electricity used by our crush mills and housing community are generated from steam turbines fueled by kernel shells and leftover fruit fiber, while empty fruit bunches and treated palm oil mill effluent are used as fertilizer. Recycling byproducts not only helps manage input costs but also reduces Cargill’s carbon footprint.
  • Use drone technology – We use drones to inspect tree health and gather agronomic data to help manage plantations more effectively. We also use drones during the dry season to monitor unauthorized burning within 10 kilometers of our plantations; if any hot spots are identified, we monitor them until the situation is resolved.

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Labor and human rights

In addition to upholding safe labor practices, Cargill promotes gender equality and protection of children and expectant mothers:

  • Promote gender equality – The palm oil plantation industry is generally male-dominated. In line with our values and broader human rights commitments, it’s critical that women in our plantations are able to work without fear of discrimination or harassment. Employee networks help ensure the rights of our female colleagues are upheld. Watch this video for a glimpse of how Cargill strives to ensure gender equality at our oil palm plantations.
  • Protect children and expectant mothers – Cargill has partnered with UNICEF to protect children living on our plantations and in surrounding palm growing communities. We participated in an assessment conducted by LINKS in collaboration with the RSPO and trained Cargill palm plantation employees about the UNICEF 10 Business Principles of Children’s Rights and mitigation of potential risks. Expectant mothers have full access to a comprehensive suite of award-winning healthcare services in our plantations. This service is open to both employees and communities living in the vicinity of our plantations.
  • Monitor social impacts – Under the RSPO Principles & Criteria, Cargill works in its own plantations with accredited independent experts to conduct comprehensive and participatory social impact assessments prior to establishing new plantings or operations or expanding existing ones. The results are then incorporated into Cargill’s planning, management and operations. We work with stakeholders to share our experiences and the challenges we face in monitoring issues in our supply chain in order to develop practical guidelines. 
  • Support women – Since launching the plantation sector’s first RP3 (Women Workers’ Safe House) in Indonesia in 2021, Cargill’s palm oil business has strengthened support for employee wellbeing, with a focus on creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Managed through DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committees in South Sumatra and West Kalimantan, RP3 provides support services, promotes awareness and training, and helps reinforce workers’ rights protections across our operations. DEI principles are embedded throughout our plantations, facilities, and offices, reflecting our commitment to treating all people with dignity and respect.

Collaboration

We work with public and private stakeholders and NGO partners to improve practices related to our people, planet and products:

  • Supporting local government efforts to serve communities – The corporate responsibility initiatives of Cargill’s oil palm plantations are centered around four priorities specifically chosen to complement and support local public programs and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Education, Health and Nutrition, Biodiversity and Environmental Protection, and Community Development. For our contribution to the development of the community and the local economy, Cargill has received multiple awards from the Indonesian government. One such award in March 2019 from the Indonesian Ministry of Economic Affairs recognized our work in developing the junior high school curriculum for vocational education on palm oil production. We also are working with the government in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra and IDH to develop a Verified Sourcing Area (VSA) landscape program to certify that all produce generated from VSA areas meets stringent guidelines for responsible business practices.
  • Promoting biodiversity and conservation – Across West Kalimantan and South Sumatra, Indonesia, Cargill works to protect and restore biodiversity both within and beyond our concession areas. Our efforts include rehabilitating riparian buffer zones, restoring peat swamp forests, and monitoring wildlife and ecosystem health to strengthen resilience and reduce environmental risks. We also support the Nanga Lauk Community Village Forest Conservation Project, investing USD $3.5 million over 20 years to help indigenous communities protect critical ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods.