BINTULU, June 15: The use of plant tissue culture technology is poised to significantly improve the productivity of Sarawak’s planted forests.
In a statement, the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) shared that its director, Datuk Hamden Mohammad, along with his team, recently visited Samling Group’s Plant Tissue Culture facilities in Bintulu to explore cutting-edge biotechnological advancements for the development of planted forests.
“During a technical briefing, Samling presented impressive results from its tissue culture-derived Eucalyptus hybrid plantations, which have achieved a Mean Annual Increment (MAI) that is over 50 percent higher compared to conventional seed-derived plantations.
“These results highlight the potential for boosting plantation productivity, promoting sustainability, and reinforcing Sarawak’s timber industry,” the statement noted.
The visit, which was hosted by Samling Group’s Chief Operating Officer Yap Fui Fook, also saw participation from researchers from both the FDS and Samling Group.
“The visit underscored Samling’s commitment to innovation through the application of plant tissue culture—a biotechnological method for the mass propagation of selected Eucalyptus clones.
“This approach complements traditional propagation methods and serves as an effective alternative for producing high-quality planting materials for forest plantations,” the statement explained.
Looking ahead, Samling Group aims to produce between 1.7 and 2.4 million plantlets in 2025 and 2026, with plans to expand laboratory capacity to produce up to eight million plantlets annually, and eventually scaling up to 25 million plantlets per year.
“This ambitious large-scale propagation initiative supports Sarawak’s vision of establishing sustainable, high-performing, and commercially viable forest plantations,” the statement concluded. – TVS
