PLANTATION REVIEW R&D in Indonesia The Plantation Division operates two oil palm R&D centres – SumBio in Bah Lias, North Sumatra, and PT SAIN in Pekanbaru, Riau. Both centres are certified palm seed producers whose superior seeds are prized for their highyielding qualities, as well as their tolerance for drought and diseases. Thecentres areoperatedbyexperiencedagronomists and researchers who conduct extensive field work on crop yields, crop resilience, pest and disease control and estate management practices among other areas. The Division also runs an R&D facility for sugar cane in South Sumatra. Besides developing superior seeds, the R&D centres establish guidelines and practices for the productive and sustainable use of limited land resources. Our innovations have contributed to sustainable oil palm farming in Indonesia, as well as IndoAgri’s long-term competitiveness as an integrated agribusiness. Among these innovative practices are block-based farming, soil conservation using Vetiver systems, and recycling of by-products, like EFB and POME, into soil mulch and nutrient substitutes, as well as a number of natural integrated pest management strategies. 2023 REVIEW Throughout the year, SumBio and PT SAIN’s crossbreeding programmes were focused on the development of new and high-yielding seed varieties with unique traits. Achievements included identifying a molecular marker to differentiate virescens and nigrescens fruit types, and introducing tenera clones of palmseeds combining virescens traits with long stalks for more efficient mechanised harvesting. Aside from the seeds for our own internal planting and replanting programmes, the Division sold 9.7 million oil palm seeds to plantation companies and farmers in 2023. The sales volume was 4% higher than the previous year. To safeguard against counterfeits, we continued to use UV markers for palm seed authentication. Other achievements included adjustments to the fertiliser mix by using compost to supplement other organic fertilisers, and the application of controlled-release fertilisers on immature oil palms. Further enhancing our cultivationmethods, we have reduced chemical pesticide use in our plantations and established ecosystems of natural predators and parasitoids to combat bagworms, hairy worms and nettle caterpillars. We have intensified crop protection by deploying entomo-pathogenic agents (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) as biopesticides, along with pest predators (Eocantechona sp and Sycanus sp) and UV light traps to control leaf-eating caterpillars. Drone images, integrated with the GIS and ground GPS data, have allowed for real-timemonitoringof field conditions, providing accurate feedback on the health of our oil palms. Additionally, the regular conduct of spatiotemporal analyses has led to better pest control and risk management. By correlating the agronomic parameters with aerial data, we were able to swiftly remedy field situations, while achieving higher productivity and cost savings. For the sugar operations in Indonesia, we continued with the cultivation of high-yield cane varieties, which have demonstrated commercial viability over existing strains. Our success with the integration of drones for sugar cane ripening has further enhanced productivity and cost efficiency. 2024 OUTLOOK We will continue with our seed-cultivation techniques and proven agronomic practices to improve crop management and planting densities. Collaborations with universities and research institutions to accelerate key R&D programmes will be actively pursued. Data from our soil hydrology studies, satellite sources and 3D topographic maps will be integrated with WebGIS to support remote decision-making. TheWebGIS can compute the precise fertiliser requirements and adjust yield predictions on a block-by-block basis, thereby lowering our groundsampling costs significantly. We have also been incorporating WebGIS into our SAP system to achieve better oversight of our plantation operations and crop conditions. We will continue to leverage data analytics and machine learning to improve precision agriculture, optimise yields, reduce production costs and promote sustainable land use. Lab activity at Bah Lias Research Station GROUP OVERVIEW OPERATION AND FINANCIAL REVIEW SUSTAINABILITY & GOVERNANCE FINANCIALS OTHER INFORMATION Indofood Agri Resources Ltd 20
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