ORGANIC PRODUCTION

Consumers want to know more and more what they are eating, where it comes from and how it was produced. The impact of production methods on the environment is constantly questioned. Fair and equitable trade for agriculture commodities is under threat in our global economy. These challenges made us to implement a number of strategic changes within our group. In 1999 we took the decision to initiate the production of organic palm oil in conjunction with EcoCert and Cirad-CP. EcoCert audits the plantation activities in view of delivering a bio-certificate. Cirad-CP assists our plantation managers with an integrated pest control and soil fertility management system. The result is that since 2002 our plantations are in a position to produce fully certified organic palm oil.

In order to have an impact on a larger area, GOPDC has obtained not only a certification for the estates but also for its smallholders and outgrowers. Oil palm farms are scattered in an area of approximately 280,000 ha. It is the belief of GOPDC that all these islands of organic farming will have the effect of water drops fusing together, having a positive impact on the environment.