- Pioneering Seed Varieties
- Fertilizer Optimization for Healthier Yields
- Revolutionizing Plantation Management with Drones
- Preventing the spread of Rhinoceros Beetles During Replanting
- The Future of Palm Oil
Musim Mas recently hosted our 2nd Estate & Research Field Day, an internal field trip for the Group’s teams involved in plantation management to share their latest insights and innovations. We believe in pursuing growth through improving yields rather than expanding planted areas. To that end, Musim Mas embraces new technologies and research methodologies. This philosophy is evident in how Musim Mas drives progress in oil palm seed development, precision agriculture, and
integrated pest management.
Musim Mas employees at Estate & Research Field Day 2024
Pioneering Seed Varieties
One of the most groundbreaking achievements presented during Estate & Research Field Day was the Group’s development of the Musim Mas GS Series Seeds, particularly the GS3 Dura Angola and GS4 Pisifera Dami Composite seeds. These
palm oil seed varieties produce yields of up to three times the industry average and have some of the highest oil extraction rates in the industry.
The new seed varieties are crucial for oil palms’ resilience. The Dura Angola and Pisifera Dami Composite varieties are innovations aimed at boosting yields while simultaneously improving disease resilience. These new varieties increase yields and reduce the risk of disease, thereby ensuring more sustainable and efficient palm oil production.
Seed yield innovation is essential as the palm oil sector needs to increase output without expanding land use. According to industry reports, global palm oil production is expected to grow to over 79 million metric tons by 2024, driven by the growing demand for palm oil derivatives in food, cosmetics, and renewable energy. The growth in demand will pose significant challenges in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. The Group’s advanced seed varieties offer an innovative solution by enhancing land efficiency, allowing us to produce more with a given plot of land, thereby addressing these industry challenges[1]. The challenge lies in meeting this demand without contributing to deforestation or habitat loss. The advanced seed varieties offer an innovative solution by enhancing land efficiency, thus allowing more oil from the same plot of land.
FFBs from Musim Mas GS Series Seeds against those from controls presented during the event
Fertilizer Optimization for Healthier Yields
A key area of focus for the R&D team is fertilizer optimization, as oil palms require a balanced and optimized blend of nutrients. Fertilizers are one of the most significant contributors to operational costs in palm oil plantations, making it essential to find the ideal balance for maximum yields. Our team has spent several years conducting scientific experiments with different levels of these nutrients to determine the optimal formula for healthy, high-yielding palms.
Data-driven agriculture has helped fine-tune fertilizer applications to achieve the best outcome. Balanced nutrient application is crucial for reducing the risk of plant diseases such as Ganoderma infection in oil palms, which is detrimental to palm oil plantations. By conducting regular analyses of leaf samples, we can accurately identify deficiencies and adjust fertilizer use in real-time, leading to higher FFB yields and reduced instances of disease.
Such precise nutrient management is critical to addressing the industry’s more significant challenges. Global demand for palm oil is projected to rise by 4.5% annually by 2030, meaning producers must find ways to increase productivity without exhausting natural resources. Optimized fertilizer use ensures that the health of the soil is maintained, making it possible for plantations to continue thriving for decades without causing damage to ecosystems.
The left image shows a healthy palm, while the right shows one infected with Ganoderma.
Revolutionizing Plantation Management with Drones
Another exciting advancement presented was the use of drones in plantation management. Our drones monitor large land areas, detect signs of palm nutrient deficiencies, and assess canopy health from above.
In the future, drones could significantly improve fertilizer and pesticide application, making the process more efficient and precise. This would enable us to target areas that need specific treatments, reduce the amount of chemicals applied, and ensure a more environmentally friendly approach to plantation management. Drones also help detect early signs of flooding or theft, providing timely interventions that protect the integrity of our plantations.
This technological shift is part of a broader trend in the palm oil industry, where automation and precision agriculture are essential to future success. By integrating technology, we can enhance productivity, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve environmental outcomes.
Preventing the spread of Rhinoceros Beetles During Replanting
When our plantations are no longer commercially viable, Musim Mas replants sustainably, using excavators to cut down oil palms and trunks into pieces of chips. They are then laid over the lands. Once they decompose, these fallen palms provide nutrients to the soil. However, they are a potential breeding ground of a very serious pest, the rhinoceros beetle, which can linger and attack new young palms that we subsequently planted. Through trial and observation, we found that keeping palm chips of fallen palms to a single layer above the ground prevents the breeding of the Rhinoceros Beetle.
In the event of a Rhinoceros Beetle outbreak, our R&D team has developed crude bio-pesticides to control their population. This is done by in-house multiplication of host-specific fungi and viruses that naturally infect and kill the beetles.
The Future of Palm Oil
The global palm oil sector faces a critical juncture. As demand for palm oil rises, Musim Mas will continue investing in innovation to meet consumer needs and our environmental responsibility. Our commitment to innovation, showcased during this event, ensures we remain at the forefront of these challenges.
In conclusion, the Estate & Research Field Day is not just a showcase of what we have accomplished; it is a blueprint for the future of palm oil. By investing in research, seed development, precision agriculture, and technology, we drive progress that benefits our business and the planet. As the palm oil sector evolves, Musim Mas will continue to lead with innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to excellence.
References:
[1] https://fas.usda.gov/data/production/commodity/4243000
