Director of Research
Message from the Director of Research: Dr Tasren Nazir Mahamooth
Our plantation Industry and its main crop, the oil palm face significant global challenges, including improving production and efficiency in the estates, and resilience in adapting to the challenges faced by management and climate change. At AAR, we shall continue with our main R&D focus programmes on improving our oil palm planting materials, agronomic and management systems especially the site-specific precision systems and better technologies to develop effective and efficient sustainable production systems and methods through working with management, other research centres and experts in Industry and Academia for collective progress.
As the new Director of Research, my vision is to continue carry the baton to “position AAR as a leader in addressing these critical issues through innovative research and development. Overcoming these challenges requires more sharing of results, achievements and collaboration with stakeholders in the Industry. By partnering with other R&D organisations and academics from universities, we shall leverage our strengths and expertise to achieve impactful advancements more quickly”.
“Addressing challenges through R&D”
Our R&D programmes will therefore “focus firstly on speeding up development and production of superior oil palm planting materials through our current advanced breeding, tissue culture and biotechnology techniques”. This includes creating high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties that can thrive in diverse environments. Our Palm Breeding station, Biotechnology, and Tissue Culture laboratories are already well-known for their research in this field. Together with the research trials and large database of past and current results, the Agronomy Section and its field substations located in strategic agro-climatic zones across Malaysia, AAR is well-poised to make more significant impacts and improvements in planting materials, working hand-in-hand with agronomists and planters.
Secondly, our breeding and selection, agronomy and crop management improvement programmes will be supported by our enlarged and focused R&D programmes “in precision agriculture and digital technologies to optimise resource use and improve productivity and efficiency in the estates”. Leveraging tools like GIS, UAVs, and data analytics, we will help our Principals make data-driven decisions to achieve higher yields and sustainability.
Thirdly, “we will pioneer integrated pest and disease management and microbial solutions that reduce reliance on chemical treatments”. Our Pest & Disease and Microbiology Laboratories will spearhead the development of environmentally friendly biocontrol agents and integrated approaches to safeguard palm health and resilience.
Fourthly, we shall “continue to stress on the importance of the best oil palm agronomic and management systems”, most efficient inputs and practices in maintaining soil health and achieving the site yield potentials and sustainability based on good sound scientific principles and science. This is crucial for a long-term Industry like ours to overcome the rising costs and achieve sustained higher profitability to attract more talented staff and personnel with the required skills and ambition to join our industry.
Our agronomy research programmes will therefore focus on optimising soil health, nutrient management, and water use efficiency to ensure long-term sustained productivity. “By recommending and implementing proven best management practices, we aim to address the industry's pressing issues and support its sustainable growth”. Additionally, “we recognise the need to generate robust scientific data to substantiate our claims of sustainability of oil palm cultivation and palm oil production. This data is essential for addressing misconceptions and providing evidence-based insights to stakeholders, policymakers, consumers and the public”.
Lastly, “investing in our R&D and personnel growth is fundamental to achieving our vision”. We are committed to providing our researchers and staff with the resources, training, and opportunities they need to excel and contribute positively to AAR and our Principals and clients. By fostering a culture of continuous interest in their projects, learning and innovation, we will ensure that AAR remains at the forefront of effective oil palm research and development. Our dedicated team of scientists and experts will drive the improvements and advancements necessary to overcome the industry's challenges and propel AAR to further excellence in upstream oil palm R&D.
As we look forward to the future, it is also apt to pay homage to the past Directors of Research whose contributions have laid the foundation for AAR's successes to date. AAR was established in 1986 by a group of experienced agronomists and scientists led by Mr Chew Poh Soon. Mr Chew's visionary leadership set the stage for AAR to facilitate research studies on tropical plantation crops and provide advisory services to our Principals, two prominent public-listed plantation companies in Malaysia, Boustead Plantations Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. The company continued to grow under the leaderships of Dr Soh Aik Chin, Dr Kee Khan Kiang, Mr Goh Kah Joo, Mr Patrick Ng and Mr Tey Seng Heng. “Each of these leaders significantly contributed to AAR's development, expanding its capabilities and reach. Their efforts and dedication have made AAR a reputable centre for Plantation research and development”.
By aligning our R&D priorities with the industry's most pressing needs, I am confident that AAR will emerge as a global leader in sustainable oil palm R&D and innovation in the critical upstream sector. “Together, we will drive our Principals, Kuala-Lumpur Kepong Bhd and Boustead Plantations Bhd, along with the oil palm industry forward and secure a prosperous future for all stakeholders”.