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AgBiotech

To ensure effective distribution of R&D resources in the agriculture industry, the Government has recently proposed a National Agro-Biotechnology Roadmap. The roadmap aims at selecting promising technologies for further development and also define guidelines for knowledge sharing and strategies in conducting R&D activities. With the implementation of the roadmap, Malaysia would be able to acquire superiority in competitiveness among the nations.

 
On the other hand, a 2,400 hectare area in Serdang has been set up for the implementation of an “agropolis” which aims at boosting crop research. The agropolis would involve researchers from three organizations working in tandem to help the agriculture sector with focus on a research-to-market approach to increase agricultural output.
Environment  
With the application of remote sensing technology at the Malaysian Center of Remote Sensing, the authorities now have the technology to better protect out natural resources more effectively. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak explained that it is now possible for the authorities to check on illegal logging immediately instead of relying on the reports from the public. As the accuracy is 98%, the system may also aid agricultural yield by the use of precision farming and increase yield for the fishing industry with satellite images of areas with high fish density.
 
In another news, gazetting activities in Bukit Bauk, Dugun has yielded a surprising find of rare camphor trees and Livstonia endauensis. Researchers have also identified 84 species of plants endemic to the ares. This find is lauded by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as a boost for the biotech industry as each new discovery may bring greater hope for the production of novel biochemical products.
 
Investment & Trade

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the potential commitment of Khazanah Holdings Berhad investing in the agro-based industry. Such a move by Khazanah would see its involvement in establishing small and medium-sized enterprises and is seen as a catalyst for growth in the local agriculture scene. The Prime Minister expressed his optimism of growth with the cooperative interactions between institutes and private companies to boost the fledgling sector. This is accentuated further by the proposal of the allocation of RM55 million under the 9th Malaysian plan to help create SMEs in agriculture by the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry.
               

Investments have also been made by various biotech industry players to attract investment dollars from various corporations. One for the foremost would be the techpark@enstek technology park in Negeri Sembilan, which boasts of having attracted RM100 million worth of biotechnology investments up to date. The joint venture by TH-NSTC Sdn. Bhd. and the Negeri Sembilan State Development Corporation has become a major player in the industry and is still seen going strong.

 
Usains Holding Sdn. Bhd. has also announced plans of setting up a biotechnology park, which would potentially be an incubator center for the private sector. Though the group has yet to decide on a location for the venue, it has been estimated that the park would be set up and can be fully functional within 2 years of construction.
Policy & Industry
The Third National Agriculture Policy is aimed at mobilising resources to boost food production and transform the sector into a dynamic and competitive industry, According to Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, three departments and eight agencies will work as a team to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate and prepare infrastructure for the industry.
   
Conversely, with the implementation of the National Biotech Policy, plans to build up talent in the field has been an integral thrust that is being carried out. By developing sufficient local professionals in the sector, Malaysia will be able to avoid depending on foreign workforces. However, the issue of mismatching skills and graduates who do not meet industry requirements are part of the major concerns of industry watchers and over-generalisation should be avoided.
 
 
Despite the discovery of technology to process oil palm fronds to livestock feed 13 years ago, commercial interest in the process has yet to be greeted with enthusiasm by investors. In 2003 alone, Malaysia has churned out 40 million tones of oil palm fronds, empty fruit bunches and oil palm trunk. The wasted oil palm fronds, according to Mardi's Director-General Datuk Dr. Saharan Anang, could have been turned into cattle feed which may fetch a price of up to RM200 a tonne in China which requires 20,000 tonnes of feed annually.
 
Health & Nutrition

Malaysian Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd. (MVP) has been one of the key companies behind the R&D of various animal vaccines for the benefit of local livestock since 1992. With the growing demands of the current market and the appearance of various animal-related diseases causing economic losses, the company has been scaling up its activities in the field of animal healthcare.

   
In another news, a team from UKM has come up with an interactive programme which promotes the importance of a healthy diet among renal patients. The programme, known as "Diet Quest for Renal” is designed to inform and match the physical properties of a patient and the patient’s nutritional needs. This enables the patient to obtain a balanced diet and be able to formulate ideal meal plans.
 
The nutritional value of carrots. can never be understated. Used widely in our cooking, these nutritious orange tubers are known to confer many health benefits like providing dietary Vitamin A, antioxidant properties and even protection against colon cancer.