Hi-tech oil palm sector solutions
Published on: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 29, 2025 Text Size: Raymond (third right) and his delegates on their KKIP visit. Kota Kinabalu: The Palm Oil Mills Association Sabah (Pomas) is pursuing a two-pronged approach to address mounting challenges in the State's palm oil sector, focusing on advanced machinery solutions and innovative workforce recruitment strategies. Led by its President Raymond Chan, Pomas council members recently toured Zoomilon Heavy Industry (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's facility at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to explore cutting-edge machinery that could revolutionise palm oil operations across Sabah. The visit, organised by local distributor Yap Kim Fah, showcased impressive technological innovations including automated harvesters, eco-friendly processing units and GPS-equipped transporters that provide real-time monitoring capabilities. These machines are specifically engineered to tackle the unique terrain and operational challenges faced by Sabah's palm oil plantations. 'The demonstrations featured equipment that could enhance both productivity and sustainability in our operations,' said Zoomilon Sales Executive Darryl Tan, who briefed the delegation on the latest advancements. The company has proposed pilot trials of selected machinery units in actual plantation settings, allowing estate operators to test the equipment under real working conditions before making investment decisions.
Advertisement In a separate initiative to combat persistent labour shortages, Pomas visited HRAS Services Sdn Bhd, a specialist foreign workforce recruitment company. The meeting, led by Business Development Manager June Yap, explored new avenues for securing reliable plantation workers. While Sabah's palm oil estates have traditionally relied on workers from Indonesia and the Philippines, Pomas is now considering recruiting from Nepal despite Nepalese workers having no prior experience in palm oil plantations. 'While they may not have prior plantation experience, their eagerness to train makes them a promising addition to the workforce,' said Yap, pointing out the adaptability and learning willingness demonstrated by Nepalese workers in other industries. The discussions also emphasised developing existing workers through targeted training programs designed to boost productivity and operational efficiency across estates. These dual initiatives reflect Pomas' comprehensive strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Sabah's palm oil sector. By combining technological advancement with innovative workforce solutions, the association aims to address two of the industry's most pressing challenges simultaneously. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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