Jakarta – The journey of 2020 which was marked by the Covid-19 pandemic was recorded as a period full of challenges. The palm oil industry must respond with innovative steps. “We have to take this Covid-19 pandemic very seriously,” said Astra Agro CEO Santosa during a virtual Talk to the CEO event, February 10, 2021.
The company implements strict health protocols, both in the plantation and at the head office. Employees in the plantation area are restricted from having access to outside, access to the plantation is also limited, employees are advised to do activities only in the plantation, not to travel for Eid, Christmas and New Year and to carry out routine covid tests. At the head office, some employees do WFH (work from home).
Besides still having to be disciplined in implementing health protocols, according to him, the use of advances in information technology 4.0 is very helpful and can be an answer. “We are grateful, long before this pandemic emerged, Astra Agro had implemented digitalization in carrying out company operations,” he continued.
As is well known, since 2017 Astra Agro has launched information technology-based applications designed to achieve excellent productivity. The three applications named Melli (mills excellent indicator), Dinda (daily indicator of Astra Agro) and Amanda (Astra Agro foreman application) are very useful in supporting company operations. Supervision, coordination and quick and precise decision making can continue. “This is what makes the company’s operations less disrupted and relatively running as usual,” said Santosa.
Therefore, according to Santosa, in the coming years Astra Agro will continue and develop its digitization program. The need for the realization of new innovations in technology is prepared through a special team at Astra Agro called the Center of Innovation in Agritech (CIA).
One new innovation that has been operated besides Melli, Dinda and Amanda is the GPS tracker. With this technology, the location, pathway and work area of employees in the care department can be known clearly and in detail. Thus, the work processes of plant care can take place more effectively and efficiently. (*)
