INDOFOOD AGRI RESOURCES LTD
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
33.
I
n
d
o
A
g
ri
’
s
a
gr
o
n
om
ic
p
ra
ct
ic
es
a
re
g
ro
un
de
d
on
e
st
abli
shed
p
r
i
n
ci
pl
e
s
o
f
R
&
D.
O
u
r
R&
D
prog
ra
m
m
es
a
nd
p
r
ior
itie
s are
a
i
m
e
d
at
i
n
c
re
as
in
g
y
i
el
ds
a
nd
p
ro
d
uct
iv
it
y
,
i
mp
ro
vi
ng
crop
r
e
s
i
li
e
n
ce
,
a
n
d
en
h
a
nc
in
g
g
o
od
e
st
at
e
ma
na
g
e
me
n
t p
ract
ices.
O
ve
r
t
he
y
ea
rs
,
ou
r
R&
D
ac
t
i
vi
ti
es
h
av
e
co
nt
ri
b
ute
d
s
ucc
es
sfully
t
o
s
us
ta
in
ab
le
p
ro
d
u
ct
i
o
n,
w
hi
le
l
en
di
n
g
t
o
lo
n
g
-t
er
m bu
si
ness
c
o
m
p
et
it
iv
en
es
s.
The Group’s R&D efforts cover:
•
Plant breeding
, which leverages biotechnology, a diverse
germ-plasm base and other advanced breeding methods
to produce top quality seed and planting materials.
•
Soils and hydrology
,
involving soil surveys and analyses,
and hydrology studies to improve soil fertility and drainage.
•
Agronomy
, which 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.
•
Crop protection
, emphasising the use of biological agents
for controlling pests and diseases.
•
Data capture and Information management
, which
involves accurate data analysis using 2D and 3D maps
derived from GPS and ground surveys, and the use of
integrated software systems for improved visibility of
relevant data across all subsidiaries, refineries and
plantations, to aid better management decisions.
•
Product development
, which includes the development
of specific formulations of edible oils and fats to meet
the diverse requirements of our industrial and retail
consumers.
These efforts are spearheaded by the Group’s R&D centres,
Sumatra Bioscience (SumBio) and PT SAIN. The two facilities
are staffed by scientists and researchers trained in the
latest methodological frameworks to track and improve the
cultivation and the production of premium high-yielding oil
palm seeds. Both centres are also supported by cutting-edge
Oil palm seeds breeding
PLANTATION REVIEW
R&D
