Representatives from CIRAD and GAR (3rd and 4th from left) sign an MoU to advance sustainable palm oil research at the Indonesia-France Business Forum 2025. (Image source: Golden Agri-Resources)

Integrated palm oil company Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has entered into a new agreement with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) to accelerate innovation in sustainable palm oil

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Jakarta, marks a renewed phase of collaboration, focused on addressing pressing challenges in the palm oil industry. This latest initiative builds upon a 25-year partnership between CIRAD and the SMART Research Institute (SMARTRI), GAR’s primary agricultural R&D facility.

Originally established in 1996, the collaboration between GAR and CIRAD has evolved through successive agreements covering sustainable production, environmental stewardship, and precision agriculture. Over the years, the partnership has resulted in nearly IDR550 billion (approx. US$33.78mn) in joint investments in research and development.

Science driving sustainability 

Together with WWF Indonesia, the partners also created the biennial International Conference on Oil Palm and the Environment (ICOPE). At the February 2025 edition, global researchers and early-career scientists shared new insights into topics such as biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation in the palm oil sector.

The partnership has supported major global research initiatives, including the Sustainable Palm Oil Production (SPOP) project backed by the French National Research Agency, and the International Oil Palm Genome Projects (OPGP) Consortium.

Through the renewed agreement, both organisations have committed to science-driven, practical solutions for enhancing sustainability in palm oil. Their collaboration will include research into plant performance modelling and simulations on climate change impacts, all aimed at supporting smallholder livelihoods amid increasing climate pressures.

“Our partnership with CIRAD brings together global scientific expertise with field research that addresses the realities of Indonesia’s palm oil landscape. It enables us to develop innovative, practical, and scalable solutions, with benefits not just for our plantations, but for independent smallholders across Indonesia,” explained The Biao Leng, president director at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, GAR’s Indonesian subsidiary.

Beyond improving productivity, the renewed partnership will explore agroforestry models to enhance national food security, reduce emissions, and contribute to Indonesia’s broader sustainability goals.

“Our collaboration with GAR demonstrates how international partnerships can combine scientific rigour with practical results. It enables us to address key sustainability challenges such as climate resilience, land-use efficiency, and smallholder inclusion. This is a truly integrated approach to transforming the sector,” said Jean-Marc Roda, CIRAD regional director for Southeast Asia Island Countries.

Hydronix makes a comparative analysis of NIR and microwave systems. (Image source: Hydronix)

There is a common misconception that, where moisture measurement is required, there is a choice between NIR and microwave sensors

Both technologies can measure moisture, but each has its advantages and disadvantages in different applications that must be considered.

This article compares both NIR and microwave systems and explains that, when it comes to measuring and controlling moisture, these technologies do not compete against each other but are complementary solutions. Each system should be selected based on what they do best.

Comparison: NIR and Microwave

NIR sensors can, in addition to moisture, measure other constituents like fat and protein content. They do not require contact with the actual substance being measured; and as they measure only the surface layer are able to measure small amounts and static material.

Digital microwave sensors, use a penetrative measurement technique to measure deeper into the material. they are not affected by changes in dust, light and material colouration. They can use a highly wear resistant ceramic that is designed to withstand material contact rather than delicate lenses. This enables microwave sensors to withstand high wear, dusty industrial environments.

Complementary: NIR and Microwave

Because of the huge range of potential applications, and the wide range of requirements within each of those applications, NIR and digital microwave sensors each have their place. The key is to understand what type of sensor to choose for each application, how many to install, where to place them and where they would benefit from being paired with a counterpart, whether NIR or digital microwave. They are not mutually exclusive.

One common example is drying applications where controlling the moisture will affect the amount of protein denaturisation and degradation that occurs. Digital microwave sensors can be used before and after the process to measure the moisture content of the material and determine control variables for the dryer.

Conclusion

Sensors should be used for their relevant strengths and specific purpose, for example, NIR to measure fat and protein measurement and/or where small amounts or static material must be measured. Digital microwave sensors where only moisture measurement in online dynamic processes is required.
This can result in a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for a much wider range of process steps, and better overall process control.

Read the entire story: https://hubs.li/Q02V74kM0

With the introduction of MycoPrime, NoMy aims to differentiate itself from other mycoprotein producers by offering a scalable, licensable end-to-end upcycling service. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Oslo-based fermentation technology firm Norwegian Mycelium (NoMy) is expanding into Japan with the establishment of its subsidiary, NoMy Japan KK

Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, NoMy Japan was founded in January 2024 and has already formed strategic alliances to enhance its fermentation technology operations, which focus on upcycling food industry side streams. Notable collaborations include a strategic alliance with Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co. Ltd, one of Japan’s leading beet sugar producers, and a feasibility study with Hokuren, a major farmer cooperative in Hokkaido known for its extensive agricultural activities. Further collaborations are still under wraps and will be disclosed at a later date, as indicated by NoMy.

The company is also launching its MycoPrime service, a upcycling solution that integrates data science, fermentation technology, and artificial intelligence. MycoPrime is designed to assist food industry partners in optimising the use of side streams, reducing waste and CO2 emissions, maximising water recycling, and developing co-located production facilities for high-value, sustainable, fungi-based products. With the introduction of MycoPrime, NoMy aims to differentiate itself from other mycoprotein producers by offering a scalable, licensable end-to-end upcycling service, leveraging its proprietary technology to deliver global solutions.

David Andrew Quist, co-founder and chief explorer at NoMy, expressed, “We are thrilled to announce NoMy Japan KK and introduce our MycoPrime upcycling concept to the world. There is a massive need and opportunity to de-risk the development of sustainable upcycling solutions and bring them to life. With NoMy’s technology and MycoPrime, the food industry now has a reliable, end-to-end partner to create value instead of waste, and become a pioneer in food system transformation.”

Dr Shu Ishikuri, President of Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co. Ltd, shared, “Our goal is to create a new industry utilising sugar beets, which have high carbon dioxide absorption capacity. NoMy’s technology, which utilises the byproduct of the sugar manufacturing process to produce filamentous fungal protein as a food resource, has great potential to produce feed and food substitutes for animal protein. We believe that this technology will help to promote agriculture and solve food problems.”

Norwegian Mycelium’s CEO, Ingrid Dynna, emphasised, “Through the launch of MycoPrime and partnerships with Japanese companies, we foresee strong growth and impact for our solutions in Japan, and become the premier service provider for upcycling food industry sidestreams in this important market.”

China is willing to work with Zambia to make good use of the FOCAC platform. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Chinese Ambassador Han Jing exchanged his views on China-Zambia agricultural cooperation during a courtesy call 26 August, on Minister of Agriculture of Zambia, Reuben Phiri 

China's is optimistic about Zambia's agricultural investment prospects and is willing to work alongside Zambia to utilise the platform of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to promote more joint agricultural projects in Zambia and more exports of Zambian agricultural products to China to benefit the two peoples.

The Ministry of Zambia has rendered strong support, in turn guarenteeing the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state and further deepening of the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Zambia.

Minister Phiri stated that Zambia-China agricultural cooperation has yielded fruitful results under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and welcomed Ambassador Han to assume his office. This opens a gateway for Chinese businesses to invest in Zambia's agricultural sector, with the upcoming FOCAC Summit hoping to serve as a mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation between the two countries in the field of modern agriculture.