KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch has signed two Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with Satoyama Microbes Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd) for the purpose of agriculture industry.
UiTM Sarawak and Satoyama Microbes Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Satoyama Farm Sdn Bhd has agreed to carry out a joint venture through joint research, staff and student exchange as well as research-related collaboration as set forth in the two memoranda.
The two memoranda were signed by Chief Executive Officer of Satoyama Microbes Sdn Bhd, Peter Yap, and Rector of UiTM Sarawak, Prof Dato Dr Jamil Hamali at the UiTM Tun Abdul Razak Library, Campus Samarahan 2 here yesterday.
The main thrusts of the two memoranda were to improve on Satoyama Microbes Sdn Bhd chicken feed formulation by incorporating beneficial microorganism to enhance the growth of the black soldier fly larvae used in chicken feed as good source of protein.
It is also to explore on potential microorganisms in the production of microbial cellulase enzyme for the degradation of organic materials, which can be added into compost to enhance the growth of plants.
Jamil said that from the two agreements, Satoyama Microbes Sdn Bhd will provide research grants amounting to RM100,000 to UiTM Sarawak.
“Besides, UiTM Sarawak will also benefit from the royalty paid from the commercialisation of the products of the research. The products developed from these researches can be commercialised for future benefits, not just for UiTM and Satoyama Microbes Sdn Bhd, but more importantly the agricultural industry.
“Both parties have embarked on a journey to widen our research and development of products, which have great potential for commercialism.
“Universities and industries live and work in very different worlds. Breaking down the barriers between these worlds will spur innovative technologies and product development, create new industries as well as accelerate the growth of economies,” he said.
Yap said that it was an honour to be able to collaborate with UiTM to conduct research on isolating the microbes that could enhance the nutritious value of our feedstock for black soldier fly and in turn enhance the nutritious value of the black soldier fly.
“In the other research we are also hopeful that we can isolate the microbes that produce the cellulase enzymes that can breakdown the cellulose of our empty fruit bunch which consequently will shorten the composting period and with this organic compost we can grow the organic plant which in turn will be used as raw material for our organic feed.
“We believe that both of this esearch will not only benefit Satoyama but could also be used in other applications as well.
“We also encourage business communities to venture into agriculture business knowing that the academias in Sarawak can be their good technical partner, and together we can attract more local graduates to work on the farm and involve in the research and development to produce better and more agriculture products, and consequently make agriculture business as another key economic thrust for Sarawak,” he pointed out.
