October 10^th-11^th  – The Institute of Plantation Studies (IKP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organized the 2nd International Conference on Plantation Technology 2023 (ICPTech2023) which was held at Hotel Tenera, Bangi, Selangor. This conference was officiated by Prof. Dr. Shaufique Fahmi Ahmad Siddique (Director, Institute of Plantation Studies, UPM) and was attended by 90 participants consisting of researchers and industry players from various government and private agencies from Japan, Spain, Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia. The main sponsors for the organization of ICPTech2023 were FGV Agri Services Sdn. Bhd. and Centre for Management of Waqf, Zakat and Endowment (WAZAN), UPM.

ICPTech2023 with the theme "Fostering Green and Circular Bioeconomy in Industrial Crops Production" had invited three keynote speakers namely Prof. Dr. Jalel Labidi (University of the Basque Country UPV, Spain), Prof. Dr. Atsushi Fukuoka (Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University) and Prof. Dr. Ts. Hidayah Ariffin (Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UPM). One of the highlighted events was the industry and government perspective session which covered various topics related to the plantation industry which were presented by Ts. Dr. Sang Yew Ngin (Undersecretary, Biofuel Division, Ministry of Plantations and Commodities Malaysia), Dr. Satoshi Hirata (CEO and President, Empacede Inc., Japan), Dato' Lim Thiam Huat (Managing Director, Nextgreen Global Berhad) and Mr. Muhammad Iqbal (Commercial Head, Agriculture SEA, Novozymes A/S).

The scientific and technical session was held on the 2nd day and was attended by researchers from Sime Darby Plantation, FGV Agri Services Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Cocoa Board, National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN), SALCRA Jaya Sdn. Bhd., Sabah Agriculture Department, Malaysian Forestry Research Institute, Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM), Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Spain, Government College Women University Sialkot, Pakistan and Kasetsart University, Thailand under the scope and topic:

• Biobased conversion products, bioenergy & biochemicals
• Mechanization, automation & digitalization
• Sustainable harvesting: Plant pest & disease control
• Sustainability, circular bioeconomy, environmental impacts & policies

ICPTech2023 had successfully gathered scientists, industry players, government agencies, and stakeholders in one platform created sharing opportunities for various topics related to the plantation sector, and at the same time focused on discussions regarding the future direction of the plantation industry.

Date of Input: 31/10/2023 | Updated: 31/10/2023 | ainzubaidah