According to John Clendon, this official approval for Univanich seeds to be sold in Indonesia is further recognition that the company’s research is producing very high quality planting material. He noted that there has been much overseas interest in Univanich hybrid oil palms which are now growing in more than seven countries. To enhance the future scope of this breeding programme Univanich has also constructed a tissue culture laboratory to produce Thailand’s first oil palm clones. Mr Clendon said that the company has been investing in this tissue culture technology since 2005, aimed at cloning elite mother palms and to increase capacity for production of high quality seeds.

The company’s Head of Oil Palm Research, Dr Palat Tittinutchanon, said that for 25 years the Univanich Oil Palm Research Centre has been importing pedigree palms from other research centres around the world. In the company’s breeding programme these palms have been used to produce new varieties of hybrid oil palms. Dr Palat reported that the company has planted more than 4,000 rai of research trials in the Univanich estates in Krabi, to identify the highest yielding hybrid crosses which are best adapted for Thailand’s dry climate and growing conditions. In 2009, the company will produce 10 million oil palm seeds for export to major customers in South America, India and now in Indonesia, as well as to supply Thailand’s oil palm farmers with high quality seedlings.