SD Guthrie: Pioneering the Future of Agriculture with AI and Robotics

THE palm oil sector has long been known for its labour-intensive plantation operations. But the economic shocks and labour shortages caused by the pandemic, as well as rapid population growth, have magnified the risk of food scarcity, placing food producers under pressure to find smart, sustainable and effective solutions that reduce manual labour dependency while optimising crop growth and tackling climate change.

SD Guthrie, one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable palm oil, is developing cutting-edge technology to address its dependency on manual labour, driving a new phase of change and growth in its 200-year history. By reimagining how plantations operate, the company is working on and has enjoyed some early successes in its efforts to mechanise, automate and digitalise traditional practices, changing the face of the plantation sector.

Cutting-Edge Mechanisation and AI Integration
Advanced technological solutions could in the future, significantly alleviate the impact of labour shortages and improve operational efficiency.

Although SD Guthrie’s work in this area is still in its early stages, it has already had early successes. Drones have been deployed for agricultural use, such as pesticide applications for immature palms in flat, undulating, and terraced areas. They provide extended area coverage while maintaining the desired efficacy using high-accuracy real-time kinematic positioning (RTK)-Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Drones are more precise and can cover 8 hectares daily, whereas it would take three workers to do the same.

Another drone sprayer used in pest and disease management at nurseries has shown the capability to cover 15,000 seedlings daily, vastly outpacing the 1,800 seedlings if managed manually.

In addition, SD Guthrie’s dedicated robotics unit has been developing innovative concepts to mechanise key processes on oil palm plantations.

A drone is applying pesticides to SD Guthrie’s plantations, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

One key innovation is the integration of Palm Digital Drives into machines used for spraying pesticides, herbicides and fertiliser in 51 estates in Peninsular Malaysia. This innovation leverages GPS technology and data analytics to meticulously track productivity metrics, driving profitability and sustainability across the plantation. These advanced systems are seamlessly coordinated and monitored through a centralised Robot Operations Centre, ensuring streamlined operations and enhanced oversight.

The robotics unit also explores concepts like an innovative drone system designed to handle the challenging task of cutting oil palm fruit bunches from tall palms. Complementing this are innovations in the In Situ Black Bunch Counting and Mapping technology, which is still under development. This technology will enable under-canopy drones with advanced imaging technology to accurately identify and map black and ripe fruit bunches.

The robotics unit is also working on concepts such as unmanned ground vehicles that can spread fertiliser in flat and undulating areas. This robotic system aims to increase the efficiency of fertiliser application. Both systems leverage the latest AI technology to understand their environment and navigate safely with minimal input from human operators.

SD Guthrie’s Project Lokal is an initiative to attract skilled local talent to manage the company’s increasingly mechanised and automated plantation operations.

Project Infinity and Project Lokal
Launched in 2020, Project Infinity leverages mechanisation, automation, and digitalisation to tackle labour shortages. By integrating advanced technologies, this project aims to transform plantation operations and reduce reliance on manual labour, targeting an improved land-to-man ratio of one worker per 17.5 hectares by the end of 2027, compared to the current industry average of 8-10 hectares per worker.

SD Guthrie’s Project Lokal complements Project Infinity by attracting skilled local talent to manage the new mechanised systems on its plantations. It has created new roles, such as machine specialists and drone operators.

Traditionally a male-dominated industry, SD Guthrie is paving the way for more women to take on operational and leadership roles. Today, the company employs 21 female machine specialists, a female Chief Operating Officer for Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, three estate managers, and one mill manager. While workforce diversification is still in its early stages, these advancements reflect the company’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion across all levels of its operations.

A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, SD Guthrie will continue to push the boundaries of mechanisation, automation, and digitalisation to boost operational efficiency further and optimise the land-to-man ratio. The potential for change in the palm oil industry is immense, and SD Guthrie is leading the way by embracing these opportunities. As SD Guthrie continues to pioneer these advancements, it invites others to collaborate and innovate to ensure a stronger, more resilient future for palm oil production.