Agronomy: Innovative Plantation Solutions
Technological change has been a major factor shaping the oil palm industry in the last 100 years. IOI Group strongly believes in developing effective and innovative agronomic systems that bring economic value and environmental benefits, while minimising risks. Our research focuses on increasing productivity, adapting to climate change, improving the efficiency level of resource use while integrating the sustainability value within the Group's full value chain.
Our estates are backed by a group of experienced agronomists who are located across 4 Research Centres namely in:
Their functions include advisory services for nurseries, immature and mature palm management, as well as fertiliser requirement analysis. Their advisory services also extend to estates that plant other crops such as coconuts and durians in addition to oil palms, as well as rubber. The team of agronomists also works closely with the estates to address the difficulties in complying with good agronomic practices, such as improving crop yields, studying the crop production in order to discern the best ways to plant, harvest and cultivate oil palms regardless of the climate (in this ever-changing climate) and developing sustainable methods in controlling weeds and pests. Product evaluation trials are also constantly conducted to ensure that procurement is always well-informed on the benefits and drawbacks of the various available products sold in the market.
Currently, the agronomic efforts are focused on restoring the soil fertility of IOI's estates, in line with the company's commitment towards sustainable palm oil production. Areas of interests include studies pertaining to the health of soil microbes and the enhancement of beneficial microbe-palm relationships. We have established the Agronomic Advisory Services and Analytical Laboratory Services to cater to all internal plantation needs as well as external parties in the following areas: soil and foliar samplings; laboratory analyses of soil, foliar, fruit, effluent, organic residue, water, and fertiliser samples, among others; agronomic advisory and fertiliser recommendations for high crop productivity (for internal plantations only).
Palm Breeding
Our first involvement in oil palm breeding started in 1990 when we acquired Dunlop Estates. In 2003, we acquired Unipamol, and both breeding programme were combined at the IOI Research Centre.
The oil palm breeding programme uses a variety of methods, including tissue culture, seed production, and nursery. Tissue culture is used to produce large numbers of identical palms. We produce our own seeds, which are used to grow new palms. We have our own nursery, where young palms are grown before being transplanted to the field.
The oil palm breeding programme has been successful in producing high-yielding palms. Our current commercial planting material is in its third generation. As a result, we have developed a commercial DxP palm hybrid derived from Deli x AVROS with improved characteristics that exhibit precocious traits, producing harvestable bunches after 2 years of planting. In contrast, conventional palms of similar age can only be scout-harvested as some fruits remain immature.
Regenerative and Precision Agriculture
We are committed to both regenerative and precision agriculture, which are used to improve crop yields and reduce environmental impact.
Our regenerative agriculture practices also emphasise circularity and waste reduction through the land application of palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunch (EFB), repurposing oil palm trunks (OPT), and more. Soil and plant samples are collected by IOI’s research teams when required to monitor soil health and identify nutrient deficiencies in crops. Fertilisers are applied only when required to not only reduce waste and cost but to minimise impacts on the environmental ecosystem. As an additional measure against possible fertiliser leaching into waterways, IOI’s operations have also designated non-chemical buffer zones around water bodies. Whenever possible, as part of circularity, POME and EFB are repurposed to be used as an alternative and natural source of fertiliser.
We use a variety of precision agriculture technologies, such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and drones, to help us effectively manage our plantations, which include:
- Making well-informed decisions based on inventory mapping reports and digital maps
- Calculating the total number of palm stand per hectare (SPH)
- Obtaining figures on actual planted areas by block
- Identifying vacant areas
- Pinpointing non-plantable areas such as river riparian zones
- Conducting palm censures
- Managing internal road networks on a block basis
- Assisting estate management to design irrigation and drainage system as well as road network in replanting fields
Contact Us
IOI Research Centre
| Tel: | (606) 431 7323 |
| (606) 431 7334 | |
| (606) 431 7336 |
