UMPSA explores Pineapple Industry Collaboration with the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM)

PEKAN, 11 July 2024 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) is exploring the pineapple industry through collaboration with the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to research, development, and technology empowerment in the pineapple industry in Malaysia.

The ceremony was witnessed by UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, and Director General of LPNM, Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh, and the MoU was signed in the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of LPNM, Tuan Haji Sheikh 'Umar Bagharib Ali, at the UMPSA Pekan Banquet Hall.

According to UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, this collaboration will benefit both parties. 

“UMPSA is always committed to building meaningful collaborations with agencies to produce researchers and graduates who are competent, resilient, and meet the needs of today’s industry.

"The collaboration between these two parties began through the Knowledge Transfer Programme Grant project under the funding programme of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in 2017. 

“This project focused on occupational safety and health management in pineapple plantations and was conducted by a group of researchers from the Occupational Safety and Health programme currently at the Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology (FSTI),” he said. 

Continuing from that, several UMPSA researchers have collaborated with the LPNM of Pahang State in the field of innovation and research related to pineapple waste as well as pineapple cultivation technology.

Notable innovations include the pineapple mushroom project by Associate Professor Dr. Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli (FSTI), Prepecto Prebiotic Organic Fertilizer by Dr. Noormazlinah Ahmad (Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology), and the development of fertilization drones by Ts. Joharizal Johari from the Centre for Advanced TVET.

"In addition, several other researchers are also involved in supporting the LPNM initiative in the 'Pineapple Night Farming' project, which utilizes solar power and Internet of Things (IoT) technology," he said.

Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie also emphasized UMPSA's strong commitment to assisting LPNM with the expertise available among UMPSA researchers.

"A total of 22 researchers have been involved in pineapple-related research and have secured funding at various levels—university, KPT, and industry—totaling RM 2,043,005.00 since 2015. 

“I hope that the research outcomes can help the national pineapple industry in accordance with LPNM’s mission to support research aimed at improving the national economy through the production of high-quality pineapples for export and the development of downstream products that can benefit local communities and entrepreneurs.

"This collaboration is also expected to create broader opportunities for UMPSA through the Bioaromatic Research Centre. This will facilitate collaboration with LPNM, strategic partners, and entrepreneurs under LPNM's guidance, benefitting both parties in areas such as training, research and innovation, writing, publishing, consultation, and think-tank activities related to pineapple cultivation technology, pineapple waste products, and other innovative products," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of LPNM's Board of Directors, Tuan Haji Sheikh 'Umar Bagharib Ali, stated that this collaboration opens significant opportunities for the development of knowledge and skills in research and agricultural technology.

"Through this collaboration, there is broad exposure to various aspects such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Revolution 4.0, and the latest technology related to agriculture. 

“Today's MoU is also an important step in the realization of an outreach programme that aims to empower the development of the pineapple industry through collaboration with educational institutions such as UMPSA. 

“This aligns with our aspiration to make Malaysia a leader in agricultural technology, especially in the pineapple industry," he said.

Also present were Director of LPNM Pahang, Azhan Austad, Director of LPNM Kelantan, Muhammad Fauzan Mohd, and Managing Director of Oked Kesuma Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Zul Hasimi Harun. 

The ceremony was also attended by the Senior Director of Research Quality & Centre of Excellence, Professor ChM. Dr. Chong Kwok Feng, Dean of FSTI, Associate Professor Dr. Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli, and Director of the Bioaromatic Research Centre, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Rosahliza M. Ramli.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)