BSM Develops New Variety to Improve Harvesting Efficiency

JAKARTA — Accurately determining the ripeness of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) affects the quality and output of oil palm production. Fruit harvested too early or when overripe can affect oil extraction and increase the risk of production losses.

Developing varieties with easily recognisable fruit colours is one way to improve harvesting efficiency. PT Binasawit Makmur (BSM), a subsidiary of PT Prime Agri Resources Tbk, has introduced the DxP Sriwijaya VIR oil palm variety, whose fruit is 100 per cent virescens.

Unlike typical oil palm fruit, the virescens trait allows ripeness to be assessed visually through changes in colour. This is expected to help harvesters determine the right time to harvest and reduce the risk of losses caused by underripe or overripe fruit.

The variety was developed through research and validation conducted from 2015 to 2024 at the Surya Adi Research Centre in Mesuji, Ogan Komering Ilir, and at the Biotechnology Molecular Laboratory in Palembang, South Sumatra. DxP Sriwijaya VIR received its plantation-crop variety release decree on 30 April 2026.

Field tests on land classified as suitability class S3 found that the variety could produce up to 30.4 tonnes per hectare, with an oil extraction rate (OER) of up to 28.5 per cent. This translates into potential crude palm oil (CPO) production of 8.7 tonnes per hectare per year.

The figures are said to be 10–16 per cent higher than those for other DxP Sriwijaya varieties. In addition to its fruit colour, analysis found that CPO from this variety had higher beta-carotene and tocopherol content than the comparison varieties. Its trunk grows relatively slowly, at 40.5 centimetres a year.

Dwi Asmono, director and chief technology officer of PT Prime Agri Resources Tbk, said the variety was developed to address the palm oil industry’s need to increase productivity and harvesting efficiency.

“The development of DxP Sriwijaya VIR reflects the company’s commitment to research-based innovation in response to the evolving needs of the palm oil industry. The variety offers not only strong productivity potential, but also the added benefit of making harvesting more efficient,” Dwi said on Wednesday (11 November 2026).

In the first year of commercial sales, BSM is targeting availability of 1.9 million DxP Sriwijaya VIR germinated seeds. The number is expected to increase in subsequent years as parent stock is developed.

BSM also said the variety would be available to independent smallholders through the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting (PSR) programme, like its other DxP Sriwijaya varieties. Each purchase will come with an official certificate, guaranteeing 100 per cent tenera fruit-type purity and the virescens colour trait in accordance with the variety’s specifications.

Dwi said access to superior varieties and replanting support were needed to help farmers raise plantation productivity. The company hopes the easily recognisable fruit colour will help farmers manage harvesting and reduce losses caused by FFB theft.

The variety’s development also highlights the importance of breeding research in the palm oil industry. Alongside productivity, plant traits that make plantation management and harvesting easier can be decisive in improving the long-term efficiency of farming operations.