23 April 2025, Pansar Agro Engineering Business Unit organised a Farmer Talk in Bintulu in collaboration with Agricode Green Sdn Bhd, drawing participation from 38 individuals, primarily comprising oil palm planters from Bintulu. The event took place at Crown Dynasty Chinese Restaurant and aimed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy soil while equipping farmers with knowledge and strategies to identify, prevent, and manage Ganoderma disease (Basal Stem Rot, BSR).
The session began with a welcome and introduction by Mr. Hu Kee San, Branch Manager of Pansar Bintulu, who outlined the objectives of the event and introduced the panel of speakers, which included agriculture officers, a soil expert, and a plant pathologist.
Mr. Kevin Wan, Director of Agricode Green, began the first topic on the fundamentals of soil health. Participants were introduced to key components such as soil pH, organic matter, aeration, and moisture control, along with practical solutions for improving poor or acidic soils, including liming and compost application.
He then continued with a comprehensive explanation on Ganoderma disease. He discussed the symptoms of the disease, such as basal stem rot, yellowing and wilting of fronds, and trunk collapse. The session also covered the modes of disease transmission and the risk factors contributing to its spread, such as continuous planting and poor drainage.
The final topic addressed prevention and management techniques, including crop rotation, fallow periods, improved drainage, and field sanitation. The use of biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma spp. and resistant oil palm varieties was also presented as part of an integrated disease management strategy.
The event concluded with a Q&A and farmer discussion session, where participants shared field experiences, posed questions, and discussed practical solutions. To wrap up the evening, a lucky draw was held in appreciation of the participants’ engagement. 10 lucky winners each received a 25kg bag of Agricode 555 fertiliser.
An optional field demonstration took place the following day for interested participants. The session featured practical showcases on soil sampling techniques, identification of Ganoderma symptoms in the field, and methods for composting and applying biocontrol agents.
This event reflects Pansar’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector through practical knowledge-sharing and environmentally responsible practices. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pansar actively promotes sustainable land use (SDG 15: Life on Land), responsible production methods (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production), and climate action (SDG 13: Climate Action). Pansar supports the Sustainable Development Goals and is committed to achieving them.