Kuala lumpur: A plantation company’s innovation which uses a siren sound frequency and special lights to control wild elephant attacks has won the Plantation Quality Award in the Plantation Innovation category at the FELCRA Visionary Award 2024 ceremony here last night. FELCRA Bhd Sri Mahkota Area manager Nur Ariff Sahah, 27, said with the win, his team bagged a cash prize of RM8,000 as well as a plaque and certificate of appreciation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur Ariff expressed gratitude that the innovation has aided planters, estate, and small farmers. The project, which has been in development for two years, has successfully protected farms from becoming targets of wild elephant attacks. The inspiration for the Siren SM Mammoth originated when an 800-hectare farm in Endau, Johor, frequently became the target of elephants from nearby areas.
Nur Ariff explained that the farms experienced attacks three to four times a month, prompting the team to develop a suitable innovation. With guidance from t
he Johor FELCRA director, the team incorporated sound frequencies and blue LED lights to deter the elephants, who have sensitive hearing and fear of blue light. The installation of these deterrents, along with closed-circuit cameras, has allowed for full monitoring of the farms.
The innovation has led to a significant reduction in farm damage, with the number of trees damaged by elephants decreasing from about 200 to nine or ten, marking a positive development. Meanwhile, Felcra Bhd Nasaruddin Perak, winner of the Best Award in the Best Palm Oil Mill category, credited its success to the staff’s dedication and the implementation of new management methods, which have enhanced competitiveness and profitability.
The FELCRA Visionary Awards ceremony aims to recognize and appreciate outstanding initiatives in innovation and management by FELCRA leaders and staff. It also featured the Factory and Infrastructure Quality Award and Subsidiaries Award. Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang
presented prizes to all winners, with FELCRA chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub and chief executive officer Datuk Idris Lasim in attendance.
