SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Overall crop demand from all uses is expected to increase 84 percent from 2000 to 2050 driven by income growth and biofuels necessitating an 86 percent increase in crop production. By 2050, to meet population demand and an estimated 265% increase in consumption, palm oil production is required to be increased by 265%, while palm oil stock would increase by 76% (John Kruse, FAO, 2010).
 
Palm oil will continue to be in demand in tandem with population growth which is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 compared to the current 7 billion. Despite uncertainties in terms of yield and sustainability, by 2030 world requirements for vegetable oils is expected reach 161 million tons per year (Yusof Basiron, 2012). Natural rubber demand, on the other hand, may rise to 16 million tons in 2020, a 39% increase from 12 millon tons in 2013 (IRSG 2012). These figures indicate the urgency of meticulous planning, wise policy making, and implementation.
 
While planners and policy makers decide much on the direction of the plantation industries, the need to have hands-on professional planters to interpret and implement them is of paramount importance. These professionals can truly make a difference and significantly influence the decision making process of their employers.
 
One compounding problem is the scarcity of competent planters capable of successfully running plantation operations, and this is expected to get worse (Yusof Basiron, 2012). Further, Ramesh Veloo (2012) added that human capital, especially the requirement for professional planters and management staff, is the key driver in enhancing the plantation operations and is a major factor in determining the future of the plantation business. Adequate numbers are not only required to cope for the new areas of expansion, but also to replace the retiring batches. Among these professional planters are the Visiting Agents, or Planting Advisors which are hired on a full time or on a freelance basis by plantation entities to provide expert advisories on planting, and in many cases the overall plantation operation and management.
 
Traditionally, these Visiting Agents achieve their status or designation by virtue of their planting experience. Years of field exposure in all stages of the plantation operations – from land preparation, planting, upkeep, crop production and evacuation – as well as rank and file promotion, made them very knowledgeable in many aspects of running the plantation agribusiness. They have good acumen, observation and analytical skills. Generally they can produce very good reports that can help the stakeholders make better decisions. Many have been offered lucrative jobs outside their country of origin.   They are often employed to provide advisories on securing lands for plantation development, as well as overseeing and coordinating the overall developments and sustainability of these agribusinesses.
 
Unfortunately, despite the prestige of the position, and other than industry recognition, proper professional certification for these Visiting Agents has been overlooked. In that respect, IIPM is now offering the Specialist Professional Qualification certification program for Visiting Agents and Planting Advisors, especially for oil palm and rubber. It is open for Visiting Agents/Planting Advisors, Plantation General Managers, Senior Managers, and Managers who have a certain amount of field experience and the relevant paper qualifications.
This unique program will ensure that the certified Visiting agents/Planting Advisors will be well equipped with the knowledge and competence to provide expert advisory services, among others, on:
 
a. Plantation operations management and SOPs
b. Maximizing resource utilization
c. Business culture, especially for expansion in foreign lands
d. Overcoming the shortage of good planting materials
e. Practical solutions to yield gaps and productivity
f. Optimization of mechanization
g. Motivating employees
h. Implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) towards certification (such as RSPO, MSPO, and ISO)
i. Investment risks and their management
 
The program is structured to bring the best out of the students, honing their analytical skills, observation and reporting skills, as well as polishing their communication skills. The course components include lectures, tutorials, workshops, field visits, case studies, report writing and presentations – each tailored toward the real needs, and using the tools of a truly professional Visiting Agent/Planting Advisor for oil palm and/or rubber. The expert facilitators and coaches will be assembled from authoritative government statutory bodies and agencies (such as MPOB and LGM), consultant agencies, reputable academia, and professionals from the relevant industries. Upon completion, the graduates will be entitled to use the post-nominal title “Certified Planter (CP)”, which would enhance their professional status and credibility, and their competency at par with Level 7 of the Malaysian Occupational Skills Qualification Framework (MOSQF). Level 7 is equivalent to a Post Graduate Certificate or Diploma, or a Master’s Degree. 
 
IIPM has been in existence for ten (10) years. It is a professional body representing all sectors of the plantation industry, and was founded in 2005 as an offshoot of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). IIPM has been intimately involved in the plantation industries since then, specifically in human resource development, training, and consultancies. IIPM has provided these professional services to more than 4,000 from various organizations have benefited from these professional services, which include FELDA, FELCRA, PPPNP, MARDI, MRB, FTC, AIM, Sabah Softwoods, Kolej Yayasan Sabah (KYS) and many private plantations. In addition, IIPM has carried out research projects in collaboration with MPOB, and has also organized national and international conferences.  
 
Beyond the 5^th International Plantation Industry Conference and Exhibition (IPiCEx2016) at the Thistle Hotel in Johor Bahru, let us look forward to our next conference, the 2^nd National Plantation Conference and Exhibition (NAPiCEx 2017), which will focus on pineapples or coconuts, which have huge potential as food and non-food industries.  Like IPiCEx 2016, NAPiCEx 2017 promises another golden opportunity for stakeholders in the plantation industries to keep abreast of current developments in the industry, develop and strengthen networks, participate in an exhibition and the NAPiCEx Challenge, and a post-conference tour. IIPM will see you there!
 
HALID HASBULLAH BOESTAMAM
Executive Director
International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM)

Source : International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Mohd Najid bin Abd. Rashid
Manager, Business Development and Marketing
Tel : 03-55225534/ 03-55225531
Email : najid@iipm.com.my

--BERNAMA