MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Local Universities Told To Step Up Research Oil Palm And Rubber
Local Universities Told To Step Up Research Oil Palm And Rubber
10/07/2013(Bernama) - Local universities have been urged to step up cooperation with industry players on research in oil palm and rubber.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said besides increasing the crop yield of the two commodities, it was also to produce local experts in the field.
"As the biggest producer of the two commodities, we should be ahead in research work on the field," he told a media conference after opening the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) Biotechnology Complex here Tuesday.
Also present were the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Ibrahim Muhamad , and Risda director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Zuki Mohamad.
Mohd Shafie said Malaysia had the potential to become a model country in the development of oil palm and rubber industries with more innovations made by experts in the country.
Earlier, Wan Mohamad Zuki, in his speech, said the biotechnology complex, which began operation in January 2011, was equipped with laboratories for Research and Development (R&D) in tissue culture, fertiliser and leaf analysis and soil study.
"The setting up of the laboratories is aimed at producing high quality oil palm seedlings to be supplied to smallholders at a low price," he added.
He said the agency was targeting a production of at least 30 metric tonnes of oil palm a year by smallholders.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said besides increasing the crop yield of the two commodities, it was also to produce local experts in the field.
"As the biggest producer of the two commodities, we should be ahead in research work on the field," he told a media conference after opening the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) Biotechnology Complex here Tuesday.
Also present were the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Ibrahim Muhamad , and Risda director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Zuki Mohamad.
Mohd Shafie said Malaysia had the potential to become a model country in the development of oil palm and rubber industries with more innovations made by experts in the country.
Earlier, Wan Mohamad Zuki, in his speech, said the biotechnology complex, which began operation in January 2011, was equipped with laboratories for Research and Development (R&D) in tissue culture, fertiliser and leaf analysis and soil study.
"The setting up of the laboratories is aimed at producing high quality oil palm seedlings to be supplied to smallholders at a low price," he added.
He said the agency was targeting a production of at least 30 metric tonnes of oil palm a year by smallholders.