INO Nature Sdn Bhd, a trusted provider of Bio Semi-organic fertilizer (ECO Balance Fertilizer), and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) have announced the extension of their collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The event, held at UTAR Kampar Campus on 5 July 2023, marks the beginning of a new research project aimed at identifying effective microbes in their comprehensive range of fertilizers while simultaneously promoting sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices in Malaysia by offering farmers a new semi-organic alternative to chemical fertilizers.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between INO Nature and UTAR aims to explore the potential use of bacteria in enhancing the immunity systems and stress resistance in crops, while maintaining the ecology balance in soil. In the first phase of their collaboration, they focused on promoting the growth of oil palms and protecting them from bagworms and Ganoderma disease. The upcoming phase of research is expected to yield valuable insights and scientific data for scientists and researchers.

Founder and Managing Director of INO Nature, Mr Roger Saw Gee Shyang and President of UTAR, Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat signed the MoU with several notable attendees present, including CEO of INO Nature, Mr Liew Chee Wah; Marketing Manager, Mr Khong Yun Jaan; Sales Manager, Mr Wong Wai Kong; Personal Assistant to Managing Director, Sebastiane Saw; Dean of UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc, Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng; Deputy Dean of FSc for R&D and Postgraduate Programme, Dr Phoon Lee Quen; Chairperson of FSc Centre for Agriculture and Food Research, Dr Tan Yen Nee; and Prof Wong Hann Ling and Dr Loh Pek Chin from the FSc Department of Biological Science. The signing ceremony highlighted the commitment of both organisations to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering sustainable practices in the agricultural industry.

Agriculture is one of Malaysia’s main sectors largely contributing to the economy. However, the reliance on chemical fertilizers poses various risks and challenges. These fertilizers can seep into waterways, leading to contamination, while also causing soil degradation, reduction in soil organic matter and many other issues. To address these issues, there is a pressing need for research and development as well as greater participation from the private sector. It is crucial to accelerate the advancement of the agriculture sector in Malaysia, with a focus on producing higher and healthier yields without harming the precious resource that is our environment. INO Nature recognises this need and is determined to play its part in fostering sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices in the country.

INO Nature and UTAR have a longstanding partnership, having previously signed a five-year MoU in 2017. The outcome of the collaboration has been outstanding, during which UTAR published a research journal—the Malaysian Journal of Microbiology, showcasing research findings from the collaboration that successfully identified plant growth-promoting bacteria isolated from a Bio Semi-organic fertilizer. These findings have provided valuable insights into the potential bacteria in foliar and pellet fertilizers that enhance plant growth. The identification of these growth promoters has supported scientists and agrochemical manufacturers in disclosing key microorganisms, ultimately contributing to the development of improved Bio Semi-Organic fertilizers as reliable alternatives to chemical fertilizers.

The past collaboration between INO Nature and UTAR contributed significant progress to the agriculture sector’s development and involved an investment of over RM400,000. The partnership also provided opportunities for the involvement of three Master’s students and twelve Final Year Project students from UTAR. This demonstrates INO Nature’s commitment to nurturing local young talents and promoting knowledge exchange. The past MoU yielded highly positive outcomes, thus motivating them to further enhance the effectiveness of INO Nature’s products by extending the MoU and achieving even better results this time round.

Building on its past achievements, the new MoU focuses on the identification and characterisation of plant growth-promoting bacteria, as well as bacteria with anti-bagworm, anti-ganoderma, and xenobiotic-degrading activities. The expected investment for the upcoming research projects is estimated to be over RM119,000.

Mr Roger Saw expressed the company’s dedication to developing innovative and eco-friendly solutions for the agricultural industry and said, “At INO Nature, we are committed to harnessing the power of nature to develop innovative and eco-friendly solutions for the agricultural industry. By continuing our partnership with UTAR, a distinguished institution known for its expertise in research, we can further advance our understanding of the beneficial microorganisms in our fertilizers. This research project will enable us to optimise our formulations, maximize their effectiveness, and ultimately contribute to the overall productivity and sustainability of farming practices.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe also expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration and stated, “In the first phase of research collaboration with INO Nature, UTAR focused on promoting the growth of oil palms and protecting them from bagworms and Ganoderma disease. Today, in the new phase of collaboration, it would be interesting to look into the possibility of using bacteria to enhance crops immunity system and stress resistance. UTAR is excited to extend its collaboration with INO Nature in this research endeavour. This partnership aligns perfectly with UTAR's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting sustainable practices. By studying the effective microbes present in INO Nature's fertilizers, we aim to gain valuable insights into their impact on soil health, plant growth, and crop yield. The findings from this research will provide valuable scientific data to support evidence-based agriculture practices and contribute to the development of eco-friendly farming techniques. I look forward to enlisting the participation of UTAR researchers from the Department of Agriculture and Food Science.”