The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and CCM Fertilizers have successfully collaborated to produce a paddy booster, GROMAX which enhances grain yield by increasing grain-filling percentage by as much as 75 per cent.  The paddy booster, GROMAX, was launched by the Minister of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry, YB Datuk Seri Noh Haji Omar.

GROMAX, a Nitro Humic Acid (NHA) based foliar fertilizer is specifically designed to boost paddy production and is based on NHA, a bio-chemically active macro-molecule which is used as a soil conditioner, coagulating agent and media for foliar fertilizer formulation. It is also used as an ingredient or additive to manufacture a new class of compound fertilizers and is proven to improve soil fertility, to increase plant nutrient uptake, to stimulate soil biological activities and to enhance enzymatic activities that promote the plant''s photosynthetic efficiency.

Extensive field trials have proven that GROMAX paddy booster is effective in augmenting paddy yield by an additional 1 tonne/hectare with a cost-benefit ratio of 1:2.6.

CCM Fertilizers Division Director, Haji Mohd Ali Sabri said the launch of GROMAX paddy booster extended CCM''s role in exploring the commercial potential of NHA based fertilizers in Malaysia.

"We will continue to seek improvements to deliver high quality products for further crop enhancement and contribute to the nation''s agriculture industry and economic development," he added.

Page 2/ MARDI AND CCM FERTILIZERS SUCCESSFULLY COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH GROMAX PADDY BOOSTER

In October last year, a NHA pilot plant was commissioned at CCM Fertilizers Sdn Bhd''s  Padang Jawa facility to produce the GROMAX paddy booster. The pilot plant has the capacity to manufacture 20,000 litres of NHA booster formulations per annum.  

The commissioning of the pilot plant was funded under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation  (MOSTI)''s TechnoFund scheme. Through the collaboration, MARDI was responsible for providing its technological expertise to undertake R&D as well as consultancy and technical services to produce NHA while CCM Fertilizers lead the commercial production, marketing, distribution and sales of the product.

MARDI Director General, Datuk Dr Abd. Shukor Abd. Rahman hailed the success of the collaborative effort to launch the GROMAX paddy booster as an outstanding example of public and private sector initiative and commitment to raise technology and innovation to another level. 

"This collaboration enables us to develop advanced technological breakthroughs and successfully commercialize a product that will inevitably transform the local paddy industry and lift farmers'' income and enhance the community''s quality of life. We are confident that the launch of the GROMAX paddy booster will open windows of opportunity to meet and exceed consumers expectations,"said Datuk Dr Abd. Shukor.

CCM is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
TBy Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at Tel no: 21617144 or email: ifazila@epapr.com.my