KUCHING (Oct 13): The Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) must embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and modern plantation technology, said the Premier.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said doing so would improve oil palm productivity and maximise land value, which should be central to Salcra’s next 50 years.

He said technologies available today could help Salcra assess oil palm tree conditions, predict yields, and determine when replanting should be carried out, offering opportunities to improve plantation management and increase returns for participating landowners.

“Even AI can be quite useful. If we input the soil type, tree condition, and what should be done to the tree, artificial intelligence can assist us,” he said at Salcra’s Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner here on Monday.

He said as oil palm trees reaching the end of their productive cycle, such as those aged around 25 years, would need to be replanted with new seedlings, technology could help to guide decisions on improving plantation performance.

Drones, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and other digital tools could modernise plantation operations, including fertiliser application and crop assessment, he said.

“The methodologies already exist for us to add value to oil palm trees both old ones that need replanting and existing palm plantations,” he said.

The Premier said Salcra’s future development should focus on increasing the economic value of its land and crops through modern management practices.

He explained that consolidating smaller plots under coordinated management allowed operations to benefit from economies of scale, reducing costs and potentially widening profit margins.

Abang Johari said land would only realise its economic potential when developed and managed productively to generate returns for its owners.

Salcra had demonstrated the potential of structured land management over the past five decades, he said, helping to transform the livelihoods of rural communities.

Among those present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; as well as Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.