BANGI, 19 December 2023 – The collaboration between the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) will create wildlife-friendly farming methods.
Through this collaboration, researchers from both organizations will carry out targeted research projects to contribute to palm oil biodiversity information, and the best palm oil landscape management recommendations to create wildlife-friendly farming methods, and minimize human-wildlife conflict.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation Affairs, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal Mujani said with the expertise of UKM researchers, he is confident that the MoA will be able to help drive the progress of the Malaysian oil palm industry so that it continues to remain relevant and dynamic at the global level, while also bringing a positive perspective to the country’s oil palm industry’s ability to create a wildlife-friendly plantation management plan .
“With the increase in oil palm plantation area every day, the collection of complete biodiversity information and good oil palm plantation management practices are very necessary in an effort to ward off the world’s bad perception of the oil palm industry, in addition to maintaining Malaysia’s position and credibility as one of the largest exporters of oil palm and oil palm products the world,” he said.
He said that UKM sees the allocation of research funding obtained through the MPOGCF as a golden opportunity that should be welcomed to further strengthen the country’s science and technology field.
The research project will be led by Dr. Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib from the Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, together with a team of researchers from various disciplines from FST as well as several other institutions such as Felda Global Ventures (FGV) and the Perhilitan Department (PERHILITAN).
The research is expected to provide a biodiversity checklist of all animal groups including insects. In addition, the research results also contribute to additional information regarding the control of pests using biological control that is more environmentally friendly.
The signing of this MoA was completed by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal who represented UKM, while MPOGCF was represented by the Chairman of the Project Evaluation Committee of the Board of Trustees, Hairulazim Mahmud. Also present at this ceremony was Member of the Board of Trustees of MPOGCF, Datuk Abdul Rashid Idris @ Adir, Dean of FST, Prof. Cm. Dr. Ishak Ahmad and General Manager of MPOGCF, Zamakhshari Muhamad.
Date: 20 Dec 2022
Source: https://www.ukm.my/beritaukm/kerjasama-fst-dengan-mpogcf-bakal-wujudkan-kaedah-perladangan-mesra-hidupan-liar/