KUCHING: The Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (DOPPA) continues to champion the interests of smallholders facing challenges at both local and international levels.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said smallholders in the state, not only among the Dayak community but also other groups cultivating oil palm, have faced numerous challenges, including the demand for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for palm oil exports to European markets.
“If compliance with the EUDR is not managed properly and diplomatically, it risks excluding independent smallholders from the global palm oil supply chain.
“In this regard, DOPPA has voiced smallholders’ concerns domestically and internationally through engagement sessions and meetings with key industry players.
“It has also been actively involved in discussions on the direction and policies at both state and federal levels, particularly in engagement sessions with my ministry,” he said.
He said this in his text speech read by M-Ficord deputy minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail during the DOPPA’s anniversary dinner held at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) here last night (Nov 23).
Rundi also urged DOPPA to propose working papers to the ministry to leverage agricultural incentives provided by the state government, including upgraded farm roads and support for food and crop integration.
He said the state government’s agricultural incentives, aligned with its mission to improve the socio-economic status of rural areas, are vital to supporting smallholders.
According to Rundi, smallholders cultivate over 266,000 hectares of oil palm, involving 48,913 individuals as of October this year.
“The palm oil industry has proven to provide a stable income for smallholders, especially in rural and remote areas of Sarawak.
“Therefore, I hope that DOPPA can propose working papers to the ministry to obtain these incentives, as well as other benefits such as food and crop integration,” he added.
Earlier, Abdul Rahman announced a RM20,000 contribution to support DOPPA’s operations.
Also present were DOPPA president Napolean Ningkos, DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, and Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) general manager Joseph Blandoi.
