Oil Palm Research Station (OPRS)

Located in Riau, the Oil Palm Research Station is the centre of Asian Agri’s breeding programme. Here, researchers evaluate genetic lines across different soil and climate conditions to develop planting materials with strong field performance, including the Topaz seed varieties.

This work helps strengthen genetic quality, support plantation resilience, and improve long-term productivity across varying growing environments.

Clonal Oil Palm Production Unit (COPPU)

Located in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, COPPU produces planting materials through tissue culture, enabling selected palms with desirable traits to be replicated more consistently.

By propagating carefully selected parent material, COPPU supports more uniform crop development across estates and smallholder farms, helping improve consistency in field management.

Biomolecular Laboratory

The Biomolecular Laboratory supports earlier and more precise breeding decisions through genetic analysis at the DNA level.

This helps improve selection accuracy, shorten evaluation timelines, and accelerate the development of planting materials suited to different plantation conditions.

Analytical Laboratory

Based in Tebing Tinggi, the Analytical Laboratory provides data that supports plantation decision-making through the analysis of soil, leaf tissue, fertilizers, compost, wastewater, and fresh fruit bunches.

These insights support more targeted fertilizer use, earlier identification of nutrient imbalances, and more efficient input management across plantations, in line with Asian Agri’s responsible and sustainable production efforts.

Together with Asian Agri’s integrated pest management approach, this contributes to the company’s AA2030 Responsible & Sustainable Production commitments, including efforts to reduce pesticide use by 50% through more targeted field practices.

Pest and Disease Laboratory

Based in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra, the Pest and Disease Laboratory helps plantations manage crop risks through monitoring, research, and field-applicable control methods.

Its integrated approach combines biological control, preventive strategies, and targeted interventions to support crop health while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

This supports long-term crop health, reduces reliance on chemical pesticides, and aligns with AA2030 targets on reducing pesticide use through integrated pest management.

Field Trial Sites

Field trials across multiple agroclimatic zones test fertilizer programmes, pest control methods, and agronomic practices under real plantation conditions.

This helps validate recommendations before wider implementation, giving plantations greater confidence in research-based practices at scale.

Developing Superior Planting Materials

Asian Agri develops oil palm varieties designed to support yield consistency, resilience, and adaptability across different growing conditions.

Our Topaz seed series reflects this approach, combining controlled breeding, laboratory analysis, and field trials to support dependable plantation performance.

Key characteristics include:

• Consistent fresh fruit bunch production
• Oil extraction potential based on breeding selection
• Adaptability across a range of soil conditions, including marginal land

More than 200 million seedlings have been planted across Asian Agri’s estates and smallholder partnerships, demonstrating sustained application over time.

For estates and smallholders, improved planting materials can support more stable production, more efficient input use, and stronger long-term supply reliability.

From Research to Field Impact

Research insights from our laboratories and field trials support better decisions across estates and smallholder farms.

In practice, this helps support:

• More targeted fertilizer application based on field conditions
• Earlier identification of nutrient imbalances and crop risks
• More efficient use of agricultural inputs
• More consistent crop performance across plantations
• Better monitoring of soil and environmental conditions

By combining research with field validation, Asian Agri helps ensure that recommendations remain practical, scalable, and relevant to plantation operations.

Standards and Quality Assurance

Our laboratory operations are supported by internationally recognised standards for quality and technical competence.

• ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems
• ISO 17025 for testing accuracy and technical competence

Results are also benchmarked through global proficiency testing programmes such as WEPAL, helping support reliable data for plantation management and operational decision-making.

Work with Our R&D Centre

Asian Agri’s R&D capabilities combine laboratory expertise, field validation, and plantation insight to support stronger crop performance and more informed decision-making.

Our laboratory facilities are also available to external partners and industry stakeholders, with testing services for soil, leaf tissue, fertilizers, compost, wastewater, and fresh fruit bunches.

Backed by international quality standards and hands-on field experience, our team provides practical analytical support for plantation and agricultural needs. For more information on available services, contact our R&D team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does Asian Agri’s R&D focus on?
   Asian Agri’s R&D focuses on developing practical solutions that support plantation productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainable production. Research areas include planting materials, agronomy, laboratory analysis, integrated pest management, and field-based validation.
2. How does Asian Agri ensure its research is applicable in the field?
   Asian Agri validates research through field trials conducted across different agroclimatic conditions and plantation environments. This helps ensure recommendations can be applied reliably under real operational conditions before wider implementation.
3. What facilities are part of Asian Agri’s R&D system?
   Asian Agri’s R&D system includes the Oil Palm Research Station (OPRS), Clonal Oil Palm Production Unit (COPPU), Biomolecular Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory, Pest and Disease Laboratory, and field trial sites. These facilities work together to support breeding, plantation management, and field research.
4. How do Asian Agri’s planting materials support plantation performance?
   Asian Agri’s planting materials are developed through controlled breeding, laboratory analysis, and field evaluation to support yield consistency, crop resilience, and adaptability across different soil and growing conditions.
5. How does Asian Agri support more sustainable plantation management?
   Asian Agri supports more sustainable plantation management through research that improves fertilizer efficiency, strengthens integrated pest management, and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides through more targeted field practices.
6. What testing services are available through Asian Agri’s laboratory facilities?
   Asian Agri’s laboratory facilities provide testing services for soil, leaf tissue, fertilizers, compost, wastewater, and fresh fruit bunches. These analyses help plantations and growers better understand field conditions and support operational decision-making.
7. How does Asian Agri maintain quality and accuracy in its laboratory work?
   Asian Agri maintains laboratory quality through internationally recognized standards, including ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17025. Its laboratories also participate in global proficiency testing programs such as WEPAL to benchmark analytical accuracy against international laboratories.