Technology To Help SALCRA Strengthen Oil Palm Replanting
KUCHING: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology is seen as capable of helping the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) determine oil palm replanting needs, ensuring plantation productivity remains at an optimum level.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said today's technology allows the condition and potential of crops to be analysed before replanting decisions are made.
He said oil palm trees that have aged and no longer yield optimally need to be replaced with new, quality seedlings.
"If the trees are old, what do we do? Replant. And replanting must use new seedlings.
"We can try this using ML and AI technology," he said.
He said this in his speech at the Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner in conjunction with SALCRA's 50th anniversary celebration at Imperial Hotel, Kuching on Monday.
Elaborating, the Sarawak Premier said the technology also has the potential to help simulate and forecast the suitable type of seedlings based on crop and soil conditions.
He said the approach would allow replanting to be carried out in a more planned manner, thereby helping to increase plantation yields and economic value.
"In the next 50 years, there will already be ways and methodologies for us to add value to the trees that have produced oil palm, whether the old ones that have to be replanted or the existing oil palm crops," he said.
He added that strengthening replanting through modern approaches is important to ensure that the land assets owned by SALCRA participants remain productive for future generations.
He said the economic value of land should be viewed together with the crops planted on it, to ensure the asset provides better returns.
"If we look at the economic value of the land together with the crops we plant, it can give a bright future to those who join SALCRA," he said.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, state ministers and deputy ministers, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews
