Overview

On 10 May 2023, a group of USM Chemical Engineering Student Society (USM-ChESS) visited the Sime Darby Plantation Ladang Sungai Dingin, Dublin Golf Club, Karangan, Kedah from 09:30 to 12:30 MYT. The event recorded 28 participants.

The students learned about the type of oil palm tree in Malaysia. All of the oil palm trees are interbreeding and no GMO oil palm tree is currently planted in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the oil palm species commonly planted is tenera, a hybrid between dura and pisifera species. Interbreeding allows oil palm seeds to have thicker mesocarp and kernel with thinner shell of the kernel. Tenera was chosen because it produced a good ratio of palm oil and palm kernel oil yields.

The group learned about the suitable living conditions for oil palm trees. Oil palm trees can only be planted in the countries located 5° to the north and south from Equatorial Line. Oil palm trees grow well in the region where it is hot and humid. It requires at least 85% of sunlight penetration to grow well. Oil palm trees will also get stressed if the growing environment is too hot and too humid. The male and female flower composition will change from 20% male, 80% female to 80% male, 20% female. As a consequence, the palm oil production will decrease.

Next, the oil palm is normally replanted with a newer breed for every 25-30 years due to economic reasons. The group was presented the harvesting and collection process of oil palm’s bunches. With the help of technologies, the collecting process becomes easier and less labour is needed. Loose fruits from the oil palm’s bunches need to be collected to avoid them growing into breeds and competing for nutrients with the mother tree.

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The USM lecturer presented Tokens of Appreciation to the tour leader Mr Ezzaruddin Abdul Rapar (SDP) and the executives.

About Sime Darby Plantation

SDP was established in Singapore in 1821. Today, SDP is the world's largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil, and is present in over 90 countries. They are leaders in innovation. SDP upstream and downstream operations are fully integrated, allowing SDP to maximise efficiencies, creating better value for all their stakeholders.

Acknowledgement

POPSIG gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) to POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow. POPSIG gratefully appreciated the host company, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (Northern Region).

POPSIG has collaborated with MPOC on Palm Oil Educational Roadshow since 2019. MPOC is a corporate body with a mission to promote the market expansion of Malaysian palm oil and its product by enhancing the image of palm oil and creating better acceptance through awareness of various technological and economic advantages (techno-economic advantages) and environmental sustainability.

POPSIG also gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Desmet Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur-Kepong Oleomas Sdn Bhd (KLK OLEO) and Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group (MOMG) to our activities.

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