Palembang, 12 February 2026 – Asian Agri introduced its high-yield Topaz 1 oil palm variety during the 2026 Smallholder Replanting Program (PSR) Workshop and Indonesian Oil Palm Seed Week at Aryaduta Hotel in Palembang, South Sumatra. The variety is recognized for its strong adaptability, particularly in regions prone to drought conditions.
Asian Agri Head of Plant Breeding Yopy Dedywiryanto said Topaz 1 is the result of rigorous selection and testing through the company’s Oil Palm Research Station (OPRS) Topaz. Various breeding combinations were evaluated consistently, with only the highest-performing crosses selected for production.
“This reflects our commitment to delivering only the highest quality to our customers,” Yopy said.
Based on trial results, Topaz 1 produced 24 metric tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hectare in its first year of maturity (TM 1) and averaged 38 metric tons of FFB per hectare from years three to six of maturity (TM 3–TM 6). The variety also achieved an oil extraction rate (OER) of up to 29 percent and has the potential to produce more than 10 metric tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per hectare.
For South Sumatra, which is prone to prolonged dry seasons between June and September, Topaz 1 is considered particularly well-suited due to its strong tolerance to drought stress.
“Topaz 1 produces 18 to 20 bunches per palm annually, with an average bunch weight of more than 16 kilograms and a high oil yield. These characteristics make it an ideal variety for dry regions such as South Sumatra,” he said.
Beyond its productivity, Topaz 1 has a relatively slow trunk growth rate, averaging about 50 centimeters per year. This trait makes harvesting easier and helps improve operational efficiency. Its virescence fruit type — green when unripe and orange when ripe — also makes it easier to identify fruit maturity, particularly on taller palms, helping to reduce potential yield losses.
Responding to the perception that virescence fruit varieties produce lower oil yields, Yopy said the claim is not supported by statistical data.
“In the first year of maturity, both virescence and nigrescence varieties produced 24 metric tons of FFB per hectare, with comparable bunch numbers and bunch weights,” he explained.
To ensure quality, Topaz germinated seeds are produced under ISO 9001-certified processes, and each seed is certified by the Riau Provincial Plantation Seed Monitoring and Certification Agency (UPT Pengawasan dan Sertifikasi Benih Perkebunan Provinsi Riau). The seeds are also equipped with three security seals and a certificate bearing a unique serial number to guarantee product authenticity.
“We want more farmers to become familiar with and adopt Topaz. Through the Smallholder Replanting Program and the use of proven, high-quality Topaz planting materials, we hope farmers can intensify plantation management and achieve sustainable productivity gains,” Yopy said.
Asian Agri’s participation in the event also provided an opportunity to share technical knowledge on superior oil palm planting materials with farmers and industry stakeholders attending the gathering in Palembang.
About Asian Agri
Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 20,000 people.
As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth.
Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri’s mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Asian Agri’s plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are full Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.
Please visit Asian Agri’s website for more information and media inquiries may be directed to:
Corporate Communication, Asian Agri
E-mail: communications@asianagri.com
