By DayakDaily Team
SUBIS, Oct 9: Sarawak Plantation Berhad’s (SPB) oil palm fruit harvester machine is set to become a gamechanger in the palm oil industry in the State, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Abang Johari said such innovation aligns with his vision for transformation in the oil palm fruit harvesting process, shifting from traditional labour-intensive methods to machine-based technology.
“When I took over from the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem), I proposed that our method of harvesting oil palm must change and adopt machine technology.
“I requested Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi (SPB executive chairman) to conduct research. Additionally, I asked Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) to carry out studies to produce the machine.
“Then, SPB has collaborated with partners from China to design our own machine, which can be used to harvest oil palm. Today, we are seeing its success. Congratulations, SPB,” he was quoted saying when launching the oil palm harvester machine at the Subis Estate, Jalan Miri-Bintulu here today.
Amongst those present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (Local Government) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Deputy Mnister for Women and Early Childhood Development Sarawak, Datuk Rosey Yunus; and Abdul Hamed.
Abang Johari further said that the new machine will help address the issue of labour shortages especially those sourced from foreign countries, which has hindered the industry’s growth.
He also said the return rate is slow in terms of harvesting palm fruit bunches.
“If we are using human labour, if the fruit falls and breaks, it reduces productivity,” he added.
He also suggested SPB design another machine that is capable of cutting and harvesting both palm leaves and fruits simultaneously, stating that the harvested leaves can be used as a biomass resource.
The oil palm harvester, named “Lipan”, is equipped with wireless control, enabling a single operator to manage the harvesting process easily, quickly and efficiently.
It is capable of harvesting 300 bunches or three metric tonnes of palm fruits per day.
Each machine can cover an area of five hectares per day while consuming two litres of fuel per hour.
At the end of the event, Abang Johari witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) involving SPB, Sarawak Plantation Agriculture Development Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Plantation Services Sdn Bhd, Palmeco, Institute of Malaysian Plantation and Commodities, Sarawak Skills, Kolej Yayasan Melaka Sdn Bhd and Miri Technical College. — DayakDaily
