On January 27, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) signed the Record of Discussions for the FY2025 technical cooperation project titled “Enhancing Biomass Utilization for Sustainable Management of Oil Palm Plantation and Promoting Circular Economy by Utilizing Applied Biotechnology Methods.” This marks the official launch of a new international cooperation initiative in Malaysia aimed at transforming untapped resources into food.

Source: Signing of Record of Discussions for Technical Cooperation Project with Malaysia: Contributing to sustainable oil palm plantation management and establishment of circular economy through enhanced biomass utilization | News & Features - JICA

Led by NIBM, this project aims to implement technologies that convert the vast biomass resources generated by oil palm plantations into livestock feed, aquaculture feed for fish, and alternative protein sources, thereby contributing to food security in Malaysia and the surrounding region.

The foundation of this initiative is the results of the SATREPS project, “Sustainable Replantation of Oil Palm by Adding Value to Oil Palm Trunk through Scientific and Technological Innovation,” which was led by JIRCAS. JIRCAS will play a pivotal role in the project by dispatching experts and provide support to translate its accumulated research results into social implementation.

Through this project, JIRCAS will continue to transform unutilized palm biomass from an “environmental burden” into a “resource for food production,” contributing to the creation of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

References: SATREPS Project Info

• SATREPS Project: The Project for Sustainable Replantation of Oil Palm by Adding Value to Oil Palm Trunk through Scientific and Technological Innovation | ODA Project Website
• Project Website: Project on Sustainable Replantation of Oil Palm by Adding Value to Oil Palm Trunk through Scientific and Technological Innovation