BioMachines Singapore scores a "first" with Asia Plantation Capital

Sept. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- BioMachines Singapore is providing outdoor remote monitoring solutions for the collection and comprehension of environmental, agricultural growth and agroforestry data.

Using the latest technology BioMachines is able to use remotely located cameras, micro climate details and customised data to supply information on the health of tree-stock and even tree diameters directly to your email box or for viewing over the internet.

"As you can imagine the potential benefits of this hi-tech approach are immense" stated Mohamed Jaan, Operations Director of Asia Plantation Capital. "We have a diverse range of forestry plantations under ownership and management, so using BioMachines systems and technology is going to allow our forestry experts and scientists more time to focus on specific problems and bring greater benefits in terms of yield and harvesting time."

The BioMachines process sounds straightforward but actually it is very complex. Using a system of robust Sentinel kits at key locations on a forestry plantation, data such as Ambient Air & Flux Network, Plant Measurement Readings, even animal tracking can all be collated and fed remotely by dial up, WiFi, 3G or similar to create crucial data for foresters and scientists to analysis, providing essential information for investment valuations, efficiency improvements and even research publications. The Sentinel units are powered by clean, solar energy for ease of installation and obvious climate benefits.

Sven Yeo, Co-Founder of BioMachines points out that their systems are also beneficial to the agricultural sector where the data collected is different, usually being aspects of Microclimate, Growth Rates, and Nutrition & Moisture using Soil Sensors.

BioMachines has developed a flexible system specifically for remote areas and large plantations. At its heart is specialised software that allows commercial and custom made sensors, even those from different brands, talk to each other and transmit data collectively and wirelessly, using WiFi, ZigBee, GSM and other wireless communication methods.

The ability to remotely collect and analyse crucial data enables the plantation to concentrate valuable resources on specific issues, increasing overall efficiency, yield and ultimately profitability.

Commercially Asia Plantation Capital has seen the huge potential that BioMachines can bring to its own operations and has signed as the first commercial plantation operation to install and operate BioMachines Systems. A program of installation across plantations in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia will be followed over the next six months. Mohamed Jaan of APC commented that "once again APC is leading the way with innovative concepts and solutions. We see BioMachines as giving both ourselves, and the institutional and private investors on plantations that we manage, considerable improvements in control and management of these areas and the agro-forestry & timber crops" he went on to add that "as both the National Research Foundation and the Design Singapore Council have been very supportive in the development of this technology we are obviously proud to help bring an Asian, and importantly a Singaporean hi-tech solution into our operations".

--Notes For Editors

About BioMachines Singapore

BioMachines is a Singapore-based company that develops environmental monitoring solutions for remote locations, such as those in forestry and agriculture. They offer intelligent platforms to improve the accuracy and quality of data in remote locations. Their scientists and engineers conduct ongoing research & development to address the challenges faced in forestry and agriculture. Their state of the art electronic systems are compatible with harsh operating environments, providing sensor applications in the atmosphere, soil, plants and water. BioMachines works with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (USA) to develop standardised platforms for conducting measurement and experiments in the forest environment.

About Asia Plantation Capital

Asia Plantation Capital is an owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and globally as part of the Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Their focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which they operate. Working closely with and supporting fragile local communities is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support as well as investment to move these communities away from traditional deforestation and illegal logging activities as a main income source. Established officially in 2008, although operating privately since 2002 the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents, with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Romania, France and North America.