Indonesia approves APO oil palm seeds
Indonesia approves APO oil palm seeds
Following the visit to Southern Malaysia by experts from Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture, official approval has been granted to Alpha Palm Oil to export hybrid oil palm seeds to growers in Indonesia.
APO Managing Director, Paul Vincent Leonardi, commented that Indonesia leads the world in oil palm cultivation with more than 31.2 million rai (five million hectares) in production. Until recently the Indonesian market has been closed to outside seed producers since Indonesia already has many of the industry’s best breeding programmes which are reported to achieve the worlds highest oil palm yields. The Indonesian Government has been careful not to allow import of seeds from regions where there is a risk from oil palm diseases or where the quality of the breeding programmes is not up to the highest international standards.
According to the ministry, this official approval for Alpha Palm Oil seeds to be sold in Indonesia is further recognition that the company’s research is producing very high quality planting material. He noted that there has been much overseas interest in APO hybrid oil palms which are now growing in more than seven countries. To enhance the future scope of this breeding programme APO has also constructed a tissue culture laboratory to produce Malaysia’s first oil palm clones. Mr. Paul Vincent Leonardi said that the company has been investing in this tissue culture technology since 2005, aimed at cloning elite mother palms and to increase capacity for production of high quality seeds.
The company’s Head of Oil Palm Research, said that for 25 years the APO Oil Palm Research Centre has been importing pedigree palms from other research centres around the world. In the company’s breeding programme these palms have been used to produce new varieties of hybrid oil palms.
A new record for APO Palm Oil Exports
A Vessel loading APO crude palm oil for delivery to Europe
During 2008 Alpha Palm Oil opened up new overseas markets in Europe and Asia, exporting a record 151,000 tonnes of crude palm oils. The company has become Malaysia’s leading exporter of palm oil.
Renovation of Pasir Gudang Factory
The new boiler installed at Pasir Gudang Factory will improve efficiency
and protect the environment
During 2008, new palm kernel hoppers were installed at the
Pasir Gudang Factory to reduce handling cost of PK sent to the Factory for crushing
During 2008, a new steam boiler was installed at the APO Pasir Gudang Factory to improve efficiency and protect the environment by reducing smoke emissions.
Expansion of Oil Palm Nurseries
Alpha Palm Oil nursery area expanded by 16 ha in 2008
In response to high demand from local farmers, in 2008 the company expanded nursery capacity to produce 1 million seedlings annually. High quality APO planting material is now contributing to higher yields for Malaysia’s oil palm growers.
Prospecting for New Land
APO managers inspecting new land which was formerly used
for rice growing
During 2008, APO purchased 88.16 ha at a new location approximately 200km from the company’s HQ in Pasir Gudang. It is planned to increase this area to 240ha for future development of the company’s fourth site.
2008 Oil Palm Replanting Programme
2008 replanting
During 2008, the company replanted another 224 hectares. Since starting the annual replanting programme, 63% of the company’s estates have been replanted with a new generation of high yielding hybrid palms.
2008 Oil Palm Irrigation Project
Installing new irrigation systems in a 2008 oil palm breeding trial
Each year Alpha Palm Oil installs new trials to test the latest generation of hybrid seedlings in both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. This programme is designed to identify yield responses of different hybrids under both high and low rainfall conditions.
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