In 1999, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) embarked on a large scale outreach program to study tropical bamboo silviculture design within an oil palm plantation. The research project was developed with Golden Hope Plantations in Bradwall Estate, Siliau, Rantau, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia. 

We took the opportunity to study the growth of the bamboo from 1999 to 2011 to gain a better understanding on soil biodiversity. In particular the natural soil-nitrifying bacteria Nitrosomonas.The sustainable development goal of the project was to evaluate on a pathway to design a future generation of oil palm plantation that are grown without synthetic chemical fertilizers. The extensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers is the main contributor to nitrate leaching into our soil and atmosphere. Creating a negative image for oil palm plantation. The introduction of tropical clumping bamboo and vetiver grass, as a companion crop was an approach to evaluate the possible long term benefits derived from this symbiotic relationship through the creation of living soils to sustain the production of fresh fruit bunches for oil production.

UN Global State of the Soil Assessment, 2015, states that " Humanity losses another 0.3% of our global food production capacity each year to soil erosion and degradation. " If we were to follow this projection, it will mean that in the next decade we would have lost one third of our arable land on planet earth for nutritional food production. This will be a disaster with world population growing to 10 billion in 2050.

So let us imagine, if we can turn our palm oil plantation among small holders to go green and allow diversification to maximize land use for food production. By going green, we are able to grow nutrients for biotech production for key active compounds. This will allow our youth in academia to venture into the "Green Palm Oil Plantation" with food crops armed with new technologies and science approaches for a regenerative economy.