In House Training for new Graduate Assistants and Agronomists in Tawau & Lahad Datu, Sabah (1-4 December 2008)

The Agronomy and Statistics training, led by Mdm. Gan, H.H., was held to familiarize our new graduate assistant (GA) and agronomists with oil palm agronomy and statistics. At each stop, the new GA and agronomists described the soil pit at the trial site, identified the major soil limitations, suggested relevant oil palm management to overcome/alleviate the growth and yield constraints, and presented the trial results with discussion. This was followed by a Question and Answer session. The Senior Agronomists also chipped in where appropriate to guide the new GA and agronomists on the essential and practical aspects of agronomy and statistics. It was emphasized that all recommended practices and informed decisions must be scientifically sound, evidence-based and properly tested or evaluated before implementation.

The participants for the Agronomy and Statistics training were Dr. Kee, Mr. Goh, TCB, PN, Asraf, GHH, Bayu, Khairol, SCC, Sita, Agung, Lyssa, and Totok.

Agenda for the training:

  1. Trial visit and discussion of FR1-89 in Sri Kunak Estate by Bayu Meta Anggoro
  2. Trial visit and discussion of MF5-01 in Sri Kunak Estate by Khirol Haslan Hamzah
  3. Trial visit and discussion of NB11-05 in Sri Kunak Estate by SCC
  4. Trial visit and discussion of FR4-94 in Tungku Estate by Sita Astari
  5. Trial visit and discussion of FR3-94 in Rimmer Estate GKJ/GHH
  6. Trial visit and discussion of FR5-95 in Rimmer Estate by Agung Pribadi Kiswara

Some pictures taken during the training:
BMA describing a soil pit during the training.
SCC presenting results on run-off and erosion (NB11-05).


GA, agronomists, and senior agronomists chitchatting during lunch break.

The ladies led the way in soil pit description.
Everyone… attention please! Trying to “bury” TCB

And the discussions continued into the dinner table…

Here we go… photo session with Sri Kunak staff