AsiaBio’s ProBiotic a rice-ing star

RESEARCH and development (R&D) incubator, Asia Bioenergy Technologies Bhd (AsiaBio), has developed a new microbial supplement for the rapid growth of plants, in a bid to curb the country’s over-reliance on food imports.

The supplement, called the “Plant ProBiotic Tumbuhan 2 in 1” (ProBiotic), which took two years to develop, has been proven to promote the growth of plant.

Treated plants show significant improvement nutrient absorption rate and have better root development. The supplement also improves soil conditions and helps get rid of antagonistic bacteria while improving yields and crop quality.

For the last two years, AsiaBio has been using ProBiotic on padi fields belonging to Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Kampung Pelet and PPK Lahar Bubur, both in Penang, and the results have been significant.

“We used ProBiotic in Lahar Bubur in the first half of last year and not only did we manage to increase the yields by 108 per cent, the padi matured a month faster, meaning quicker harvest time and bigger profit,” said AsiaBio executive director Looi Kem Loong.

Experiments in different parts of the country have shown similar results, with Kampung Rama in Perlis registering an 88 per cent increase in yields — from 4,440kg of harvested crop to 8,300kg the following season.

“We see this technology as the way of the future and we intend to introduce this product to more farmers and food producers. It will help Malaysia’s food production in the long run,” said Steve Tan, who is also an AsiaBio executive director.

The firm has a lone production line at its Penang factory and is able to produce up to 1.5 tonnes of ProBiotic a month. It is looking to add four more production lines within 36 months.

“We have RM42 million worth of funds, so funding the production line is not an issue. The issue is in finding the markets for the supplement,” said Looi, adding that the firm intends to market its products domestically.

“Right now, we are looking at ways of getting promotional backing from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry and the National Farmers Organisation, but this may take a while.”

However, both Looi and Steve 
are quite confident in getting the government’s backing in marketing ProBiotic to farmers nationwide, considering its proven benefits and the leadership of AsiaBio chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

“We know that we have a working product that’s capable of yielding significant results. We also have the funding to increase our production capacity.

“We are waiting to get the market we need to push ProBiotic forward and that’s where we need the government’s backing the most,” said Tan.

AsiaBio was listed in 2009 as one of the five incubator companies, alongside OSK Ventures International Bhd and MCM Technologies Bhd, which is part of the AmCorp group of companies.

Revenue from ProBiotic is expected to become significant in the long term. It is currently being distributed by AsiaBio’s partner company, Artisan.

AsiaBio executive directors Looi Kem Loong (left) and Steve Tan with the better quality padi crop they got after using ProBiotic. Pic by Amir Irsyad Omar