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Print this pageThe Plantation Division operates two oil palm R&D centres – SumBio in Bah Lias, North Sumatra, and PT SAIN in Pekanbaru, Riau. Both centres are certified palm seed producers, renowned for superior seeds, which are prized for their high-yielding qualities, drought tolerance and disease resistance. Staffed by experienced agronomists and researchers, the centres conduct extensive field work on crop yields, crop resilience, pest and disease control and estate management practices. Additionally, the Division operates a R&D facility for sugar cane in South Sumatra.
Beyond these activities, the R&D centres are responsible for driving sustainable land use and IndoAgri’s long-term competitiveness through various innovations. These include block-based farming and soil conservation using Vetiver systems, recycling of by-products like Empty Fruit Bunches and Palm Oil Mill Effluent into soil mulch and nutrient substitutes, and natural pest management strategies to reduce chemical reliance.
Leverages biotechnology, a diverse germ-plasm base and other advanced cultivation techniques to produce top quality high-yielding varieties, disease-resistant and drought-tolerant oil palm seeds and planting materials under ongoing crossbreeding programmes at SumBio and PT SAIN.
Involves soil surveys and analyses, and hydrology studies to improve soil fertility and drainage.
Entails site-specific soil management and crop-cultivation techniques to ensure optimal crop management and planting densities, and fertiliser and herbicide usage on a block-by-block basis.
Emphasises the use of biological and naturally occurring agents for controlling pests and diseases.
Drones were used for real-time monitoring of the agronomic conditions in the field. The images taken by the drones were combined with other data sources, like the Geographic Information System and ground GPS, to provide comprehensive and accurate feedback on the condition of the estates.
The oil palm seed breeding program of the Group is focused on improving the CPO yield and quality, together with controlling trunk height growth and producing drought and disease tolerant seeds.
