24/07/2017 (New Straits Times) - The immense labour force needed by oil palm smallholders is poised to be slashed significantly with the invention of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s electric cutter.

The ‘e-cutter’ was developed as part of the university’s translational research programme in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry and the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

The innovation was co-developed by Professor Dr Norhisam Misron from UPM’s Engineering Faculty and Abdul Razak Jelani, research officer from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

The e-cutter was unveiled in a ceremony attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh at Felda Sg Tengi, Kuala Kubu Baru, here today.

Idris who handed ten of the machines to Felda settlers said the e-cutter is fully powered by electricity besides being lighter and more compact than the conventional mechanical cutters that are currently in use.

It can also extend up to 10 metres whereas the conventional cutter can only reach up to five metres, added Idris.

The machine costs about RM2,000 to RM3,000 and took five years for the university to develop.

Idris said that 1,000 units of the machine would be distributed to Felda smallholders in stages.