28
COVER STORY
@ Forest | July-August , 2022
Driven by research and development
Malaysia ’ s agricommodity sector produces various products and innovation
BY FATIHAH MANAF
MALAYSIA ’ S agricommodity sector is a crucial segment , contributing RM85 billion to the country ’ s gross domestic product ( GDP ) in 2020 . The export value of the segment steadily increased in 2021 despite the pandemic , indicating its advantageous position globally .
Emphasising innovation and value creation , the government has continuously invested in research and development ( R & D ) across different industries related to agricommodity .
During the International Agricommodity Expo and Summit ( MIACES ) 2022 , @ Forest got insights from five industries - rubber , cocoa , kenaf , timber and pepper regarding their products , R & D activities , and other initiatives .
Increasing productivity in the rubber industry
The Malaysian Rubber Board ( MRB ) showcased some of their innovation and technologies , which supported the sustainability agenda . One of the innovations is RRIMETER , an instrument for rapidly determining rubber and non-rubber content , offering an accurate dry rubber content ( DRC ).
Dato ’ Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor , Director-General of MRB , said among the issues for the upstream rubber sector was the productivity of smallholders .
To tackle the issue , he shared : “ We introduced a new technology to reduce labour dependency and increase productivity . We released new tools with higher productivity and a new tapping system .”
Technology transfer for chocolate entrepreneurs
Rahimah Majid , Chairman of the Malaysian Cocoa Board ( MCB ), the board ’ s primary business is R & D . She said the R & D conducted by the board covers upstream and downstream sectors . “ For example , in the upstream sector , we produce fertilisers and solve
( From left ) Jenny George , Baharuddin Dato ' Mokhsen and Vincent Sawat from Malaysian Pepper Board .
the problem caused by cocoa pod borer ( CPB ). We then transfer these technologies to cocoa farmers .
“ This technology transfer includes the plantation of high-quality cocoa clones , which are more durable . For end products , we also produce cosmetics and supplements .”
Rahimah shared that MCB also had a Chocolate Development Entrepreneur Unit to train chocolate entrepreneurs in producing high-quality chocolates .
Assistance for pepper farmers
Jenny George , Deputy Director ( Operation ) of Malaysian Pepper Board ( MPB ), said the pandemic had impacted the pepper industry as it led to increased cost of transportation . However , the technology allows related SMEs to sell their pepper products online .
Other than being used as an ingredient in cooking , pepper can be used to produce other products such as cosmetics , antidermatophyte foot cream and mosquito repellent sprays .
George elaborated : “ We can also produce perfume from pepper .”
Vincent Sawat , Deputy Director ( Development ) of MPB , shared that the board provided various incentives and assistance to pepper farmers .
“ We have a New Pepper Planting Scheme and Pepper Maintenance Scheme to help the farmers , especially during this time . There ’ s an increase in the cost of agriculture inputs . Hopefully , this kind of assistance can help them to reduce the cost and increase their productivity ,” said Sawat .
Baharuddin Mokhsen , Chairman of MPB , said : “ We encourage people to come and invest in pepper because this is a product which will stay . It is culinary based . Sarawak pepper is the best pepper in the world . The aroma is fantastic . We have to utilise that .”
Alternatives to timber
Kamaruzaman Othman , Director- General of the Malaysian Timber Industry Board ( MTIB ), shared that the board is promoting new alternative materials for furniture production that embrace sustainability .
“ Here at the exhibition , we have bamboo . It is a non-timber forest product which is now increasing its prominence as a raw material to be used in the timber industry . We also have other alternative products . This is meant to show that we ’ re not relying solely on timber from the forest .”
Through its participation in MIACES 2022 , he said the board hoped to disseminate as much information on its responsibilities , programmes and services .
Exploring kenaf ’ s untapped potential
Kenaf crops were commercially introduced through the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board ( NKTB ) in 2010 as an alternative crop to tobacco . Processed kenaf sticks produce fibre and core , the two elements used in making highquality and environmentally friendly products .
NKTB Chairman Ab Aziz Ab Kadir said the board ’ s main focus was on the kenaf plantation .
He shared : “ We give subsidies worth around RM2,385 per hectare to encourage smallholders to get involved in kenaf plantations . However , there is an inconsistency issue with regard to the production .
“ Due to this issue , we can ’ t make any agreement with buyers to supply kenaf consistently . So , now we focus on bringing big companies involved with kenaf plantations .”
NKTB Director Idris Mohd Salleh highlighted that NKTB , through its R & D Committee , received project proposals from various parties , including the private sector . Through the R & D activity , Idris said kenaf could produce bricks , livestock , cosmetics , etc .
The board also brought together kenaf-based companies during MIACES 2022 ’ s exhibition , namely EcoVet Group , Tunas Arif Sdn Bhd and Kenaf Tech Master Resources .
“ We help these companies through the funds we have , especially in lab tests and commercialisation ,” said Idris . — @ Forest
Dato ' Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor |
Kamaruzaman Othman |
Ab Aziz Ab Kadir |
Idris Mohd Salleh |
Rahimah Majid |