The Group embraces the principles of sustainable development to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from today's ventures.The goal of sustainable development is geared towards balancing the imperatives of 'Profit, Planet and People' when making management decisions and plans.
Sustainable development encompasses responsible resource stewardship, effective pollution prevention and optimisation of production capacity. Care for Environment continues to be a key cornerstone of the Group's corporate strategy. The Group takes pride that environmental stewardship continues to be within the tenets of its business plans and practices since the inception of the company. The Group acknowledges that agricultural activities can impact the environment. We therefore committed to minimising this impact through continuous improvement. The Group is committed to ensure that land management practices are consistent with the long-term sustainability of the available resources to ensure land remains productive for agricultural use. In addition, the Group is committed to the conservation of designated sites, natural resources and promotion of biodiversity by implementing best management practices.
Land Use, Conservation And Carbon Sequestration
The overall land use of the Group is highlighted below. The Group has classified over 8% of its total land bank, equivalent to 6,000 acres for the purpose of conservation, research and education. These areas comprise of conservation forest landscape which includes wetlands, logged over forest with high value flora and fauna species and a multitude of water bodies located throughout the operating units.
The crowning glory of the Group's conservation endeavours is its' "Hundred-Acre Wood". This site located in Sugut hosts an arboretum containing over 130 tropical rainforest tree species, a water catchment, a fruit orchard, insectarium and a medicinal herbal garden with a collection of over 150 species of medicinal plants. In addition, the site is also the location of the Sabang clubhouse and chalets, dormitory and training facility. Another conservation highlight in the Group is a plot of over 300 acres surrounding an oxbow lake which is undergoing natural eco-succession in Sugut. This has been left intact for the purpose of research and education through collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Areas that have been identified to be unsuitable for oil palm cultivation have also been planted with suitable timber tree saplings under the Sugut tree planting project. A nursery for timber saplings has been established for this purpose in Sugut. Two tree species have been studied and found to be more resistant to prolonged flooding, namely bongkul (Neonauclea subdita) and sepat (Mitragna speciosa). Remnant sites and areas surrounding the water bodies within the operating units have also planted with timber tree species such as mahogany (Swietenia spp.) and sentang (Azadirachta excelsa). A few species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.) which normally flourish in higher altitudes in Sabah were found on an area adjacent to an oil palm estate block in Sabang estate. A wooden board-way has been erected and maintained for accessibility to this natural habitat. Another interesting biodiversity finding was the thriving presence of fireflies (Pteroptyx tener) on a species of mangrove trees (Lumnitzera littorea). The estimated carbon fixed by the total of over 3,000,000 oil palm trees in the Group can be calculated using a methodology developed by Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The total carbon sequestered was 592,479 metric tonnes based on total planted area and the age profile of the oil palm trees of the Group in the reporting year.
Operational Best Management Practices
Zero Burning Policy
The Group has a zero-burning policy in both new plantings and replantings of oil palm, which contributes towards a cleaner environment and enhances soil fertility by returning nutrients and organic matter to the land. This technique has now taken a step further by the utilisation of oil palm chips from felled oil palm trees placed in a single layer along new planting rows which has the additional benefit of curtailing breeding sites for Oryctes rhinoceros beetles. This zero-burning policy is incorporated in all land clearing contracts.
Soil Conservation
The planting of leguminous cover crops (LCC) is a standard Group practice. LCC protects surface soil from erosion and recycles plant nutrients while enhancing the soil’s organic and moisture content. In addition, a green policy of minimal weeding is practiced. Blanket spraying of groundcover species is strictly prohibited, contributing to the enhancement of biodiversity in the estate ecosystem. Contour terraces are constructed on hilly terrain. Biocompost and empty fruit bunches (EFB) mulch are applied on land. During land development operations, steep areas are carefully identified and left undisturbed in its natural state as conservation areas.
Water Conservation
Water conservation goes hand in hand with soil conservation practices. Significant areas are set aside as water catchments where the original vegetation is usually left intact and where necessary, additional trees are planted. Water reservoirs are created in selected areas in the estates by taking advantage of the natural topography of the land. Riparian reserves are established and maintained along rivers and major waterways. Rainfall parameters are routinely monitored by each operating unit on a daily basis.
Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”)
The Group’s IPM practices involve combinations of various pest management techniques to maintain a high level of biodiversity within the ecosystem to keep the level of pest population below their thresholds. A proven pest census system is used to monitor the population levels of pests and the presence of their natural predators. An integral part of Group’s IPM practice is the planting of beneficial plants such as Turnera subulata, Antigonon leptopus and Cassia cobanensis to encourage the proliferation of natural enemies in the control of bagworms and nettle caterpillars. The Group also breeds and multiplies predatory insects in insectariums for biological control of leaf-eating pests. In situations which call for the use of insecticides, the Group adopts trunk injection of insecticides in place of spraying in order to protect beneficial insects. Pheromones are used to trap the Oryctes rhinoceros beetles, instead of chemical control.
Zero Discharge Through Biocomposting
The Group uses EFB and POME to produce bio-compost for
our palms. The benefits are two fold, as compost enriches
the soil whilst reducing the usage of chemical fertilisers.
Innovations and Technologies
A drip irrigation system has been installed in Desa Talisai estate nursery as part of its continuous improvement efforts. This precision technology has enhanced the nursery performance because of its relatively low levels of water requirement and homogeneous water coverage produces healthy, vigorous and uniform oil palm seedlings for field planting.
Ongoing field trials are being carried out in various estates
in the Group to test soil inoculants, a wide range of microencapsulated
beneficial microbes especially for the
purpose of nitrogen fixation.
Controlled Agrochemical Utilisation
Fertiliser programmes are recommended by experienced
agronomists with inorganic fertiliser rates controlled for
optimal benefits and costs. A weed management policy
effectively reduces the application of herbicides whilst
maintaining desirable ground vegetation to reduce soil
erosion and minimise nutrient leaching losses.
Waste Management and Utilisation of Natural Resources
Palm oil mills produce large quantities of by-products,
particularly EFB and treated Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME).
To be environmental-friendly and to reduce wastage, these by-products are mostly recycled into the fields, providing
an excellent source of plant nutrients and irrigation water;
in compliance with environmental legislation. Rotary driers
installed in the palm oil mills produce dried decanter cakes
for application to selected estate fields. Desa Talisai palm
oil mill incinerates EFB to produce bunch ash to replace
inorganic potash fertilisers. Elsewhere, EFB that is no
longer incinerated are systematically used as organic
mulch in the fields. Other bio-mass by-products such as
mesocarp fibres and fruit shells are utilised as fuel, making
the Group’s palm oil mills and their surrounding estates
houses self sufficient in energy requirements.
Biodiversity, Tree Planting and
Carbon Sequestration
The Group maintains pockets of natural forests on estates as conservation sites while a long term tree planting project has started in Sugut. The Sugut Tree Conservation Plot and Mini Arboretum, a 70 acres conservation site located in Sg. Sabang estate conserves various tropical rainforest and cultivation of fruit tree species. In addition, many animals such as mammals and birds are protected permanent residents in the site. The arboretum also host a garden of medicinal plant collection with over 150 species of medicinal and other types of herbaceous plants collected and planted to-date for both conservation and educational purposes.
More than 3 species or sub-species of Pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.), which normally flourish in higher altitudes in Sabah were found in the conservation area adjacent to Sabang estate in Sugut region. A wooden board-way has been erected for accessibility to its natural habitat.
A recent exciting and interesting biodiversity finding was the sighting of a thriving presence of fireflies in Sugut. The fireflies, identified as Pteroptyx spp. were found on mangrove trees (Lumnitzera littorea) beside the main road.
Another conservation area covering over 300 acres plot surrounding an oxbow lake in Sugut has been left intact for the purposes of research, education and conservation through collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
The Sugut Tree Planting Project covers areas identified to be unsuitable for oil palm cultivation. A timber tree nursery for assorted tree species has been established. Two tree species, evaluated and found to be more resistant to prolonged flooding, namely bongkul (Neonauclea subdita) and sepat (Mitragna speciosa) have been identified for site rehabilitation programmes adjacent to mangrove areas. Where there are remnant areas in the estates, timber tree species such as mahogany and sentang (Azadirachta excelsa) have also been planted.
The estimated carbon fixed by the oil palm trees can be calculated using a methodology developed by Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Carbon sequestered by the Group’s oil palm trees
in Year 2008
The Sugut Tree Planting Project covers areas identified to
be unsuitable for oil palm cultivation. A timber tree nursery
for assorted tree species has been established. Two tree
species, evaluated and found to be more resistant to
prolonged flooding, namely bongkul (Neonauclea subdita)
and sepat (Mitragna speciosa) have been identified for site
rehabilitation programmes adjacent to mangrove areas.
Where there are remnant areas in the estates, timber tree
species such as mahogany and sentang (Azadirachta
excelsa) have also been planted.
The estimated carbon fixed by the oil palm trees can be calculated
using a methodology developed by Malaysian Palm Oil Board
(MPOB). Based on total planted area and the age profile of
the oil palm trees of the Group, the total carbon sequestered
was over 590,000 metric tonnes in the reporting year.
Stakeholders Engagement on Sustainability
IJMP is an active member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO is a global multi-stakeholder initiative on sustainable palm oil that was formally established under Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code on 8 April 2004. It is a unique platform for pragmatic worldwide stakeholders’ co-operation for the expansion of production and use of sustainable palm oil. IJMP has been involved in the National Interpretation of Principles and Criteria for sustainable palm oil production, environmental reporting, free sharing of digital images and stakeholder dialogues. The Group shall focus on internalising the Principles and Criteria for sustainable palm oil production throughout its operations involving all levels of its employees.
The Group has always been open to stakeholders’ engagement in relation to its business ventures and continuously engages various stakeholders from both local and abroad hosting them through organised visits to the operating units covering the estates, mills and research centre. Visitors include environmental journalists and researchers, members from both environmental and social NGOs, students and the local community.