ATAS Plantation Sector
One of the critical factors for the success of the oil palm and rubber industry globally is the plantation systems of agriculture production. We should explore the application of this approach to other tropical crops such as cocoa, coconuts, durians, bananas, pineapple, commercial forestry and others. The current plantation companies are already trying and they should be given incentives and encouragement to produce these food products.
The ATAS platform can contribute in these endeavors through its network of experts in tropical agriculture sciences. This initiative and the capacity of Malaysian and Indonesian plantation organisations have much synergy for success. The expansion of plantations crops is limited by availability of land and labour. ATAS could play a critical role in the areas of mechanisation, robotics, drone technology, and genomics to enhance efficiency in the production system of plantation crops.
ATAS will form a network of experts in tropical agriculture sciences. A science-based technological approach will be used in the plantation systems of agriculture production. Advanced technologies will be applied to tropical crops such as oil palm, cocoa, coconuts, durians, bananas, pineapple to improve its quality and production in meeting the global market.
A significant number of small-holders are involved in these industries and ATAS could play a pivotal role in improving their income and livelihood.