By Asmahanim Amir
Pictures by Shahiddan Saidi

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 November 2017 – Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), UKM will be collaborating with  Felda Global Ventures Research and Development (FGV R&D) Sdn Bhd on research pertaining to oil palm plants diseases.

UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Prof Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said the university has always been trusted by the industry to conduct high impact research.

“I believe the collaboration between UKM and FGV R&D experts will produce a positive development and will give a big impact on the palm oil industry,” he said at the Memorandum of Collaboration signing ceremony between UKM and FGV R&D Sdn Bhd, here, recently.

The cooperation will see both parties involved in the metabolic study of the development of biological markers to detect the infection of palm oil pest, known as Ganoderma.

In addition, the cooperation includes a provision of an opportunity for FGV employees to further their studies at the PhD level in UKM.

Meanwhile, Head of R&D Cluster and FGV Agriculture Services, Syed Salim Syed Ali said he believes the study conducted by FGV R&D and INBIOSIS researchers will be able to find a more sustainable solution to the Ganoderma disease by means of the production of bio-control agents which has high potential microb.

“These efforts can be used to save palm oil trees from attack in the early stages of infection and thus block attacks Ganoderma more widely,” he said.

He said the collaboration from the technical expertise and research facilities between both parties is very important to advance the country’s agricultural sector.