Mitr Phol Collaborates with Cane Growers to Harvest Green Sugarcane

to Boost Incomes and Foster a Better Environment

Pioneering Sugarcane Leaf Purchase for the 7th Year with a Goal of Purchasing 700,000 Tons
during 2024/2025 Milling Season

Bangkok, December 9, 2024 – Mitr Phol Group, the world’s top leader in sustainability within the food products industry, is continuing its attempt to promote the green harvesting of sugarcane. The company reaffirms its commitment as a trailblazer in the ongoing purchasing of sugarcane leaves for the 7^th consecutive year, with the launch of its "Let’s Green the Sugarcane" communication campaign— an idea that embodies the values of sustainability and environmental care. The campaign aims to encourage cane growers to begin the sugarcane milling season in December this year, with an emphasis on harvesting green, clean, and quality sugarcane that contributes to a healthier environment. This initiative also provides cane growers with an opportunity to increase their income by selling sugarcane leaves, which are used as biomass fuel for renewable energy, a key energy source derived from Thailand's agricultural sector.

Mr. Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group, stated: "Mitr Phol Group is a leading company in the sugar and renewable energy industries, with a firm commitment to sustainable development. We focus on supporting cane growers in the transition to green sugarcane harvesting, aiming to reduce the practice of burning sugarcane fields while improving both livelihoods and environmental outcomes. For over a decade, we have been advancing modern and sustainable sugarcane farming techniques through our 'Mitr Phol ModernFarm' practice, covering all aspects from farm design and soil management to planting, crop care, and harvesting. By integrating innovative technology and management practices, we help increase efficiency, reduce costs, and preserve the environment for a more sustainable future."

In addition to over a decade of efforts in transferring modern agricultural knowledge through its “Mitr Phol ModernFarm” practice, Mitr Phol Group has pioneered the continuous purchasing of sugarcane leaves from cane growers. To date, the company has purchased more than 1.7 million tons of sugarcane leaves, generating over 2.5 billion baht in income for cane growers. This initiative not only provides cane growers with additional revenue from selling sugarcane leaves, but also raises environmental awareness and contributes to a greener future. The leaves are used as biomass fuel to generate renewable energy, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, some of the sugarcane leaves are used as organic mulch to enhance soil quality and fertility. For the 2024/2025 milling season, Mitr Phol Group has set a target to purchase 700,000 tons of sugarcane leaves at a price of 900 baht per ton.

Agricultural burning is one of the reasons to air pollution, and as a company is embedded in Thailand's agricultural sector, Mitr Phol has long prioritized addressing this issue through modern farming practices. The company has collaborated with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, community leaders, and sugarcane growers, to tackle this challenge. For example, Mitr Phol has partnered with Kalasin University and the province of Kalasin to conduct research on ways to encourage cane growers to adopt sustainable, non-burning technologies for sugarcane cultivation, improving the quality and yield of sugarcane. Furthermore, Mitr Phol has joined forces with local authorities and community leaders in Suphan Buri to implement a comprehensive fire prevention strategy, monitoring and addressing the issue of sugarcane field fires with greater effectiveness and coordination.

“Let’s Green the Sugarcane” – A Communication Idea for Sustainable Beginnings 

To raise awareness and highlight the benefits of green sugarcane harvesting, Mitr Phol Group has launched the “Let’s Green the Sugarcane” campaign. Designed to engage cane growers and the wider community throughout the 2024/2025 milling season, the campaign communicates good will and encourages cane growers to begin the milling season with sustainability.

The green sugarcane harvesting initiative, which includes the purchasing of sugarcane leaves, is a vital component of Mitr Phol Group’s sustainability strategy, “Mitr Phol Triple Grows: Grow for Generation, Grow for Green, Grow Together.” This strategy is designed to foster sustainability across three pillars: economic, social, and environmental, to create long-term value for society while promoting a sustainable future for all.

#MitrPholGroupSupportsGreenSugarcaneHarvesting

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