Keywords

10.1 Background

In 2015, the Ministry of Education Malaysia financed a community initiative at Universiti Putra Malaysia to produce products from sugar palm trees as part of the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) Initiative. According to Huzaifah et al. (2017a, 2017b), sugar palm tree has various names depending on place such as enau or kabung in Malaysia; gomuti, aren or kaong in Indonesia; palma azucarera in Spain; Lao in Sino-Tibetan; and many others. It belongs to the sub-family of Arecoideae and tribe of Caryoteae (Sanyang, 2015). Sugar palm tree has been chosen in this project because this tree is a multipurpose tree in which all parts of the tree can be used, including palm sap, trunk, fruits and leaves. The main purpose of NBOS initiative is to help the villagers so that the villagers can generate their own income.

In this project, the researcher was transferring information about the development of items made from sugar palm fibres, assisting the local community with product development and assisting the local community with product marketing. The project was carried out in a rural village in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, called Kampung Kuala Jempol. The community was introduced to the potentials of the sugar palm, which was previously only known for producing palm sugar. Following the conclusion of the project, the community continued to collect and manufacture sugar palm tree-based items, which they sell across the country.

10.2 Products from Sugar Palm Trees

Coconut trees are widely recognised as multifunctional trees; however, few people are aware that sugar palm trees are also multipurpose. It’s because almost every part of the tree (roots, leaves, stems, fibres, fruits, etc.) can be used for a variety of purposes and products (up to at least 60), either for traditional uses like sugar palm food products, kolang kaling (sugar palm fruits) (Fig. 10.1), vinegar or fibre products (such as fibre, roof, brush and broom) or for research purposes like starch and sugar palm fibre (Fig. 10.2), as well as base materials for a variety of structures. Researchers explored several uses of sugar palm products in the form of fibres (Fig. 10.3), foodstuff (Fig. 10.4) and other uses throughout the market investigation stage of the project (Fig. 10.5). Figure 10.5 shows tools constructed from sugar palm trunks and broomsticks made from sugar palm trees. Sugar palm seedlings in polybags are now available for purchase and planting (Fig. 10.5).

Fig. 10.1
A photo of the sugar palm tree which has fruit bunches that hang in between the leaves. It has spike-shaped dry leaves and a strong trunk. The palm fruits are irregular spheres with a drape on their outer layer.

Sugar palm fruits

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Fig. 10.2
A photo of a tree which has a strong trunk with leaf scars. It has strong and thin branches with no leaves starting from the base. The tree is surrounded by small plants with leaves. Around the tree are a few dry branches on the ground.

Sugar palm fibres and stem

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Fig. 10.3
A photograph of the cleaning brush in the first image has a short wooden handle with dense bristles. In the second image, the floor cleaning broom has wide thin bristles on a slender long handle. The third image has an oval-shaped woven floor mat. In the fourth image, a vertical stick in the center with wide bristles on its sides. In the fourth and fifth images, the tree leaf is used for the roof.

Different uses of sugar palm fibres

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Fig. 10.4
Six photographs. First, the Balung and the Aren syrup. In the second, cane sugar is packed in a plastic cover. In the third, a bright powder is placed on a sheet of white paper. In the fourth, a bowl has wax beads. In the fifth, a liquid syrup is used in making cupcakes. In the fifth, a few crystals are filled into a bottle.

Foodstuffs from sugar palm origin

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Fig. 10.5
A photo of a spoon in the first image is made of palm wood. In the second image, a wooden plate has a plant with long leaves. In the third image, a bowl and its spoon are made of palm wood. In the fourth image, the broomstick has palm sticks.

Other uses of sugar palm tree

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10.3 Approaches

The NBOS project was completed in 1 year and 3 months, with a grant of USD 39,056.22 accepted (rate on 8 January 2018). The full sum was used to convey knowledge to the community and ensure its long-term viability. The funds were utilised to host community lectures and exhibitions and to design and create equipment such as a shed and a “small factory” to make products so that the local community can continue the initiative on its own in the future. The community had gotten a lot of orders, mostly from local markets, after running this initiative on their own for a year (project concluded in September 2016). Due to a lack of innovative techniques and procedures, particularly for mass manufacturing, the community has difficulty meeting demand. As a result, the same team of UPM researchers (who also worked on the first community project) launched a new community project called Knowledge Transfer Grant Scheme (KTGS) (with a grant approved of USD 6255.00; rate on 8 January 2018) to focus on project productivity enhancement to meet market demand and to assist villagers in marketing their products both locally and internationally.

10.3.1 Availability of Sugar Palm Trees

Sugar palm trees thrive in the undeveloped areas of the Jempol district’s rural areas. In the village, some 1000 trees have been discovered in the wild. The sugar palm trees in Kampung Kuala Jempol were not widely and productively exploited by the inhabitants. Some of the locals did not use other portions of the sugar palm trees, who simply collected the sap and fruits for daily sustenance.

10.3.2 Industry Visits

UPM researchers have put a lot of effort into the project, including making multiple trips to Indonesia, Sabah and Pahang, which have substantially aided the project’s progress. The researchers went to Indonesia to learn more about the sugar palm industry from CV. Mulya Perkasa Company in Tasikmalaya, West Java Province, Indonesia, has extensive experience.

Expertise and information for the production of brushes, bottlebrushes, brooms, roofs and rope were brought back to Malaysia due to the tour (Fig. 10.6). Furthermore, information about sugar palm fibre as a roofing material was collected by visiting a community in Kampung Naga, Salawu District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia, that has utilised sugar palm fibre in roof making, which is very significant to emphasise in Malaysia. As a result of the development of holiday resorts that use traditional materials to build gazebos, cottages and chalets, demand for a traditional touch in building decorating is increasing in Malaysia. They became more motivated to manage the initiative after returning to Malaysia and sharing the information and products with the community. This is because the local community believed they could make it work based on the evidence presented and examples of firms that have been associated with the sugar palm. The problems in educating the community were obstacles that had to be overcome for the project to run smoothly.

Fig. 10.6
A photo of the cement platform in the first image has iron rods with palm fibers in their middle. In the second image, palm fibers are in a rope bundle. In the third image, a person stacks palm fibers as a bundle. In the fourth image, a person makes fiber rope from palm wood.

Products from sugar palm fibres (rope, roof and broom)

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The second visit was to a company called Kebun Rimau Sdn. Bhd. in Tawau, Sabah, which produces sugar palm block and sugar palm syrup as its major products. Figure 10.7 depicts the stages of creating sugar palm syrup, from harvesting sugar palm sap to bottling sugar palm syrup. The equipment was created in partnership with Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute and was designed by the firm (MARDI). After the sap is collected, it will be pre-heated to ensure that it is not readily damaged. The sap will then be filtered and sent into a second machine, which will treat it to make it denser and lengthen its shelf life. Following that, the syrup will be bottled and sold.

Fig. 10.7
A photo of the first image has a palm tree with spiky leaves and fruit bunches from the middle branches. In the second, palm syrup is extracted by a machine that has a cylindrical steel container with a tube. In the third, a machine has two cylindrical containers with blended ends. In the fourth, the syrup is filled in a plastic container with a label with the text Balung.

The manufacturing of sugar palm syrup (no. 1–4)

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Benta, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, was the site of the third visit. The main product of this company is sugar palm block (Fig. 10.8). Almost most of the locals here make money by selling sugar palm blocks. Based on observation, the raw material for producing sugar palm blocks was gathered from wild sugar palm trees. They also make sugar palm blocks using a traditional manner.

Fig. 10.8
A photo of the palm sugar in the first image which is separated from the palm tree and is melted as a liquid by heating it in a large pan. Then the melted palm syrup in the second image is poured into round moulds and cooled down.

The sugar palm sap is cooked and poured into moulds

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They climb the sugar palm tree early in the morning to get the sap. To remove any contaminants, the sap will be filtered before being placed in a large pan. The sap will next be boiled until it thickens and becomes viscous and then poured into the mould and left to harden before it cools. The final process is to pack the sugar palm blocks so they may be sold.

10.3.3 Technology Transfer (from Waste to Wealth)

Traditionally, agricultural waste has been used to dispose of the useless parts of sugar palm trees used for sap production. According to the use of sugar palm trees, the fibre and the tree trunk, leaves and fruit will be burned or left to decay, as illustrated in Fig. 10.9. UPM researchers devised a scheme to address this issue that converts these wastes into new goods, improving the locals’ life in Kampung Kuala Jempol. The community was drawn to the project because of this concept. This project also included constructing a traditional building that houses the production process and distributes sugar palm goods. It is also hoped to increase the number of visitors to Kampung Kuala Jempol (Fig. 10.10).

Fig. 10.9
A photo of the first image has palm tree trunks that are thick and surrounded by trees. In the second image, the fibers of the palm tree are separated. In the third, after removing the fiber, the tree is burnt. Leaves and fruits from the tree are strewn on the ground. In the fourth, a trunk of the palm tree is cut and is on the ground.

The tree was burned to remove the fibre (ijuk); besides, the fruits and trunks were left to decay

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Fig. 10.10
A photo of the person in the first image removes the fibers from the palm tree. In the second, the fiber is separated from the tree. In the third, a person holds the saw machine and cuts the tree. In the fourth, palm syrup is filtered out. In the fifth, the waste is packed in a bag. In the sixth, the syrup and other products are on a table and a demonstration is given.

A series of demonstrations to the community on obtaining sugar palm starch and sugar palm fibres

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UPM researchers briefed on the potential products from the sugar palm tree as part of this technology transfer. Aside from that, UPM taught the community how to make sugar palm-based products, including sugar palm block, sugar palm fruit, broom, bottlebrush, etc. In addition, UPM assisted in providing tools and machines for the manufacturing process.

The chief of Kampung Kuala Jempol praised the project and encouraged the community to take advantage of it. He also wants to promote this community as a tourist attraction in the Jempol district to fulfil the government’s “One District, One Industry” initiative under rural industry.

Rural industry is also known as a traditional industry. This industry is a platform to produce any products or handicrafts produced by the village community who still use the traditional local methods inherited from their ancestors. Efforts to develop local industries always get attention from the government because this industry is said to have a lot of importance. The government always gives support by giving incentives and capital to rural industrial entrepreneurs to develop in parallel with other sectors. Although the rural industry is considered small, it also contributes to its economy.

On the other hand, the existence of rural industry also provides employment opportunities to the children of the village itself. In turn, it can reduce the migration rate of rural people to the city centre. This situation can certainly reduce the city’s population growth, and thus social problems can be avoided. In addition, the existence of rural industries can encourage residents to get involved in the business. Other than that, the rural industry run by the villagers can maintain the traditional artistic and cultural values inherited from time immemorial.

10.4 Products

Sugar palm fibre, starch, roof, rope, brooms, brushes, bottlebrushes, vinegar, fruit, liquid sugar, fined sugar and block sugar are the 12 goods based on sugar palm that has been successfully created (Fig. 10.11). All products with attractive packaging can attract buyers in a short period. In addition, two products, sugar palm fibre (Fig. 10.12) and sugar palm starch (Fig. 10.13), have registered trademarks (Fig. 10.13). Fibres (all fibre-based products), trunk (starches), flowers (sap for generating sugar) and fruits are the four primary sections of the sugar palm tree’s products.

Fig. 10.11
A photo of the products which are separated from the palm tree is as follows: Broom, Brush for cleaning bottle, Fine sugar, Liquid sugar, Vinegar, Sugar palm fruit, Sugar block, Starch, Fiber, Rope, Roof, and Brush. All are in a circular arrangement.

Twelve products from sugar palm tree

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Fig. 10.12
A photo of the fiber in the first image which is separated from the palm tree and is packed in a bag with the logo dollar sign f. In the second image, a logo has dollar sign f with the text sugar, palm, and fibers at the bottom.

Sugar palm fibre and sugar palm logo trademark™

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Fig. 10.13
A photo in which a palm tree is cut and a person with boots stands near the cut tree. In the second, a saw is used to cut the inner parts. In the third, the sugar palm is filtered out by a filter. In the fourth, the extracted juice is cooled down. In the fourth and fifth images, starch is produced in powder form and packed in a plastic cover.

Sugar palm starch production and sugar palm logo trademark™

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10.4.1 Sugar Palm Starch

Figure 10.13 depicts the steps involved in producing starch, also known as sago. Sugar palm sago starch manufacturing begins with the sugar palm tree being cut down. A chain saw is used to remove the inner part of the trunk. The sago material recovered during the extraction procedure is then soaked in water.

The sago detritus will be squeezed to extract the milk after a few hours and left overnight. The use of an extruder machine, as shown in Fig. 10.14, improves the extraction process of starch.

Fig. 10.14
A photo of the machine which is used to separate the starch from the sugar palm. Here, a rectangular box has a cone-shaped tube at the bottom. It has two buttons which are used to start and stop the machine. A big plastic bucket with a filter is placed under the extraction tube. A round plastic box is placed on the right side.

Sugar palm sago extruder machine for extracting starch

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The milk will then separate into two layers: water and starch sediment. The starch will then be dried in direct sunshine after removing the water. The clump starch will be pulverised in the traditional way of making starch flour. Later, the original procedure is enhanced by using an extruder machine to extract the starch, similar to how coconut milk is made. The sugar palm starch can be purchased online using the Shopee application or directly at grocery stores. The price for 1-kg starch is between RM20 and RM30.

10.4.2 Products from Sugar Palm Sap

The sap is the major producer of the sugar palm tree. The production of sugar palm sap is not easy because it needs to be collected through the cut branches. The sellers or farmers who collect sugar palm sap must wait until the sap is full in the container; if the sap is left for too long it will turn into alcohol. A bottle of sugar palm sap was sold for RM4.

Other than that, sugar palm block, sugar palm syrup, fine sugar and vinegar (using the fermentation process), as well as bio-ethanol, can all be made from the sap. The price for sugar palm block varies between RM15 and 20/kg depending on the location. Sugar palm sap is obtained from male flower bunches because it produces a large amount of sugar palm sap of high grade. Sap can be yielded for up to 3 or 4 months. Sugar palm bunches that are shrink and dry indicate that sap production is coming to an end. Depending on the fertility of the trees, 4–5 L of sap can be gathered twice a day from each bunch. The number of male bunches present in the tree can estimate the amount of sap present. If there are multiple male bunches on the tree, the sap from each one can be harvested simultaneously. Figure 10.15 depicts the products of sugar palm sap, whereas Fig. 10.16 presents the sugar palm block production flow.

Fig. 10.15
A photo in which a glass bottle contains a liquid, the bottle has the label, POKOK ENAC and COCA ENAC. It is made up of vinegar. In the second image, sugar palm sap is produced and packed as a sugar block which is named GULA ENAU. Fine sugar is packed in a plastic box named QULA PASIR ENAU. A dark liquid sugar is in a bottle named QULA CAIR ENAC.

Product derived from sugar palm sap

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Fig. 10.16
Six photographs. In the first image palm flower is cut from the tree. In the second image, palm sugar is poured into a large pan. Then it is boiled, and the melted syrup is poured into a round container. It is cooled down and wrapped. Finally, it is packed and named GULA ENAU. It has Arenga Pinnatta.

The production of sugar palm block starting from sap collection until packaging

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10.4.3 Sugar Palm Fruits

Aside from the diversity of items made from sugar palm trees, they also produce fruits processed into food. According to some locations, the Malay community refers to this sugar palm fruit by its traditional name. However, some common names include “beluluk”, “buah kabong” and “kolang-kaling”, with “kolang-kaling” being the most popular in Indonesia. Because it is frequently employed in the culinary business, this fruit is one of the most popular side dishes in the Malay community (Fig. 10.17). The sugar palm fruit is oval, spiky and clear or white in colour. Sugar palm fruits can be purchased online or directly at a grocery with a price range of RM15–RM20/kg. The demand for sugar palm fruits will be increased when the Aidilfitri celebration comes.

Fig. 10.17
A photo of the palm tree has a fruit bunch and is separated from the tree. The inner part of the fruit is bright and juicy while its dark outer part is hard. In the bottom image, the inner part of the fruit is separated and dipped into a liquid when it becomes dark. Then, it is packed in small boxes for sale. The sixth image depicts the red core stored in several plastic containers.

Sugar palm fruit

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10.4.4 Sugar Palm Fibres

Ijuk fibres are another local term for sugar palm fibre. It has a black tint and a diameter of 0.5 mm on average. This fibre can resist temperatures of up to 150 °C. These fibres’ high strength and durability qualities make them multifunctional in harsh environments. Aside from that, it is also resistant to seawater. An ijuk fibre comprises hundreds of microfibrils held together by lignin, which gives the fibre its strength. On average, each sugar palm tree can generate about 15 kg of ijuk fibre. A machete is used to separate the ijuk from the tree. To make climbing a tall tree easier, a ladder is used, or notches are cut into the tree’s height. The ijuk is then gathered before being packaged and ready for sale. Broom, brush, bottlebrush, roof and rope are examples of ijuk fibre products, as shown in Fig. 10.18. The product can be found at any grocery and the price is affordable (Table 10.1).

Fig. 10.18
A photo of the products which are produced from palm fiber. In the first image, a plastic broom has soft palm fibers. In the second, palm fibers are packed into a plastic bag with the logo, dollar sign f. In the third, fourth, and fifth images, soft fibers are used in a round brush, a flat stick, and as a rope.

Products development from sugar palm fibres

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Table 10.1 The product from ijuk fibre and their price according to Shopee application
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UPM is now undertaking research on sugar palm fibres (SPF) as a composite reinforcement material. Table 10.2 compares the tensile qualities of sugar palm fibres to those of other commercial natural fibres such as coir, cotton, kenaf and others.

Table 10.2 Tensile properties of sugar palm fibres and other commercial natural fibre
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Misri et al. (2010) used a hand lay-up process to create a small watercraft utilising a hybrid of sugar palm fibre- and glass fibre-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Ijuk fibre is suited for water use due to its water resistance qualities, allowing it to survive in water for an extended period of time. However, because artificial fibre is stronger than a natural fibre, it is hybridised with glass fibre to improve mechanical durability. The experiments on sugar palm fibre undertaken by UPM researchers are listed in Table 10.3.

Table 10.3 List of selected studies conducted by UPM researchers on sugar palm fibre
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10.5 Equipment, Machines and Facilities Developed

A lot of equipment, machinery and facilities were produced as a result of this initiative, from harvesting to commercialising sugar palm goods. Figures 10.19, 10.20 and 10.21 depict some of the equipment and machines used in this project to convert sugar palm fibres into commercial products.

Fig. 10.19
A photo of the thick wooden base which is made up of a palm tree has nails on its top. It is placed on a table.

Sugar palm fibre cleaned and isolated according to a certain grade

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Fig. 10.20
A photo of the pal fiber used in a broom. In the first image, palm fibers are used in the plastic rod. A plastic rod has a hole where the fiber is inserted. The palm fiber is cut into a shape by a machine. Finally, a palm fiber broom is made and named PENYAPU ENAU.

Broom from sugar palm fibre

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Fig. 10.21
A photo of the machine has a thin steel rod where the fibers are separated from the palm cubes and inserted into the steel rod. The bundle of fibers is inserted into a stick and made as a bottle brush.

Bottlebrush and cleaning brush from sugar palm fibre processing

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As illustrated in Figs. 10.22, 10.23, 10.24 and 10.25, a small factory was created to provide a better facility to accommodate all produced machines/equipment as well as working space for this project. This structure serves as a hub for the project and a collection, processing and commercialisation facility for sugar palm products. The UPM team project developed the building, and the total cost was estimated to be around USD 20,000.00 using the grant funds. All project facilities, such as a loading bay, work area, office, room, bathroom and a separate small building for processing palm sugar and electric power and water supply, are available in the building.

Fig. 10.22
A plan view of a building has a loading bay at the entrance with a length of 40 feet and width 14 feet, and a car is parked on the left side. The front room is the office room with a length of 30 feet. The left side has four working spaces, each with a length of 15 feet. To its right is a room and an office space. On the outside at the back, there is a toilet for men and women 10 feet by 7 feet.

Plan view of the building design

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Fig. 10.23
A front view of a model building has a total length of 40 feet, its support beam is at 7 feet, and the thatched roof has a height of 6 feet. It has wide doors with windows.

Front view of the building design

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Fig. 10.24
An isometric view of the building which has a total length of 40 feet, its support beam is 7 feet. A building has two doors and two windows. A building has a roof that is made up of palm trees.

Isometric view of the building design

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Fig. 10.25
A photo of the building with a roof that is made from palm trees. The front area of the building has tables and chairs where people are seated. A car is parked on the front side of the building. The building has trees in its background.

The completed building photo

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10.6 Conclusions

The goal of this community endeavour was to create sugar palm-based products. The National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) initiative was supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). One of the goals of this project was to impart information about the production of products made from sugar palm fibres and get the community involved in the development and marketing of the product. This project aimed to introduce the community to the sugar palm tree’s potential for goods other than sugar palm sap and fruit. This knowledge transfer programme included visits to three sugar palm-based businesses in Tasikmalaya, West Java Province, Indonesia; Tawau, Sabah; and Benta, Pahang, and training and equipment for the local population in Kampung Kuala Jempol, Negeri Sembilan. Sugar palm fibre, starch, roof, rope, brooms, brushes, bottlebrushes, vinegar, fruit, liquid sugar, finer sugar and block sugar are 12 goods developed due to this effort.