For palm oil producers and their critics
December, 2016 in Issue 4 - 2016, Cover Story
Malaysian Palm Oil Industry Awards, 2016
LIFETIME EXCELLENCE AWARD – PALM OIL INDUSTRY
Dr N Rajanaidu
Dr N Rajanaidu holds a PhD in Genetics from University of Birmingham, UK, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Recruited from MARDI to the Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia (PORIM), he then served out his career at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), where he remains a Senior Research Fellow. In all, he has spent over 40 years as an oil palm breeder, a feat not many can match.
His contributions towards the development of novel ideas and methodologies in plant breeding, as well as continuous efforts to improve the oil palm, have brought about immense value to the industry.
Dr Rajanaidu was involved in the collection and establishment of oil palm breeding materials from 1973, evaluation of these collections, their utilisation and, ultimately, their conservation. These activities were aimed at expanding the genetic base of the oil palm in Malaysia. We salute the vision and foresight that triggered this lifetime activity.
He assembled the world’s largest oil palm germplasm collection from various African and South American countries, on behalf of the MPOB. The collection has played a crucial role in the landmark sequencing of the oil palm genome by MPOB scientists; and this led to the discovery of the genes related to the shell and fruit colour. The research was published in the prestigious journal Nature, and stands as a benchmark for Malaysian science and technology achievements.
Due to Dr Rajanaidu’s efforts, the industry has benefitted from the release of elite oil palm genetic materials known for traits such as ‘dwarf-ness’; higher unsaturated oil composition; and compact fronds enabling higher-density planting. The materials provide valuable genetic variations that can be commercially exploited by the industry for preferred breeding programmes.
In addition, Dr Rajanaidu led a team of scientists that developed and released three types of planting materials; PS1.1 (high-yielding and ‘dwarf’ value), PS2 (high-yielding and high iodine value) and PS3 (high-yielding for kernel value).
For over 20 years, he shared his skills and expertise at local universities, through a lecture series on oil palm genetic resources. He trained and supervised Master’s and PhD students, and developed talent in young breeders, specifically in the area of managing and utilising oil palm genetic resources.
Dr Rajanaidu further provided consultancy services on oil palm breeding; as well as organised symposiums and workshops under the auspices of the International Society for Oil Palm Breeders. His contributions to the industry are outstanding and unparalleled.
