FGV Annual Integrated Report 2019

67 ANNUAL INTEGRATED REPORT 2019 03 S E C T I O N OUTLOOK & PROSPECTS FOR INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL We will continue to invest in R&D and will be seeing many more practical outcomes as we go forward. Programmes in the pipeline include: • A pilot project that utilises Space Applications For Environment (SAFE) technology to implement the highest and most precise replanting standards using satellite remote sensing technology. Replanting areas in six estates have been selected for this initiative. • Studying a microbial solution for reducing the biochemical oxygen demand levels in palm oil mill effluents, which will reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. • Working on formulating a new biofertiliser formulation. The main purpose of this product development is to improve soil structure and reduce fertiliser usage. • Establishing and improving the cloning of MD2 pineapple-planting materials to enable the ramping up of production to supply farmers. This could lead to other opportunities for other fruit crops. AWARDS FGV actively participates in various awards and took home two awards at the 30 th International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX’19) held in May 2019. We were awarded a Gold and a Silver Award for our PalmaShield disease prevention product and oil palm DNA fingerprint service, respectively. PalmaShield is a biological product developed to manage Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease in oil palm plantations. The DNA fingerprinting service, meanwhile, serves as a useful tool to identify whether or not materials such as seeds or clones can perform as claimed. Another important and notable award was received in June 2019 when the Yangambi seed won the BrandLaureate Brand Influencer Award 2018-2019. This is the eighth time since 2008 that the Yangambi seed has won this award given by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation. FGV's Renewable Energy Business won the National Energy Awards 2019 and came in as runner-up at the ASEAN Energy Awards 2019 for its Umas Rural Electrification project that used biogas to generate electricity to benefit 3,000 households with over 15,000 inhabitants in the Umas township. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS STATEMENTS AND ANALYSIS