BINTULU: CRAUN Research Sdn. Bhd. made history on Saturday with the launch of FERTARA, a balanced compound fertiliser specially formulated to support the early growth of sago trees (Metroxylon sago).

The launch was officiated by the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg in conjunction with the Sarawak Agrofest 2025 which took place at the Old Airport Site, on Saturday.

According to a statement from CRAUN, FERTARA is the result of 20 years of comprehensive research (2003–2023) led by Senior Research Officer, Fariza Zaini together with Peter Stanley Howell, with initial support from renowned agronomist, Prof. Zaharah Abdul Rahman from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Tayeb Dolmat from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).

CRAUN explained that field evaluations proved that FERTARA accelerated stem development compared to other compound fertilisers currently available on the market.

“Large-scale field studies were conducted at the sago plantations owned by the Land Development and Conservation Authority (PELITA) in Mukah, the Sungai Talau Research Station in Dalat and sago plantations owned by smallholders.

“This project is fully funded by the Sarawak Government as part of efforts to improve the productivity and quality of sago production which is a heritage and important economic resource for Sarawak,” the statement said.

CRAUN stressed that the FERTARA formulation has been filed for patent protection with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO).

“This achievement demonstrates how CRAUN’s long-term Research and Development (R&D) has been translated into patented and commercialized products, in line with the vision of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which leverages data and innovation to drive economic growth,” it added.

The fertiliser will be manufactured by Sarawak Fertiliser Sdn. Bhd., a local company with experience in producing high-quality fertilisers.

It will be marketed to sago smallholders, development agencies and sago industry players throughout the state.

At the same event, a symbolic ceremony was held to hand over FERTARA fertiliser from CRAUN to the Sarawak Sago and Nipah Development Board (SNDB).

The handover was officiated by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Anielia Siam representing CRAUN, while SNDB was represented by the General Manager, Zaidell Hussaini.

The handover of FERTARA fertiliser reflects the strategic collaboration between CRAUN and SNDB in empowering smallholders and sago industry players. -UKASnews


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