KUCHING: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is committed to providing long-term support to small oil palm farmers across the country, including Sarawak.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that in Budget 2024, an allocation of RM100 million will be disbursed through grants and loans for the Oil Palm Replanting Programme, aiming to assist 7,000 small private oil palm farmers.
The aim is to boost the replanting rate of oil palm and subsequently increase the average yield of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and crude palm oil (CPO) production nationwide.
To ensure full comprehension and utilisation of the schemes and assistance in the Agri-commodity sector, Fadillah said that several methods are being implemented in the palm oil sector through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
“These methods include promotional and informational sessions conducted directly by designated ‘Pegawai Tunjuk Ajar dan Khidmat Nasihat Sawit (TUNAS),’ particularly in the 12 MPOB branch offices in Sarawak.
“Additionally, we are disseminating information through special programs, such as Ministry-led initiatives like the Trek Agrikomoditi, Sustainable Oil Palm Planters Cooperative (KPSM) programmes, and other agency-led efforts. MPOB officers play a vital role in conveying relevant information to small oil palm farmers.
“Conventional promotional activities, such as placing posters in oil palm sales centres at 18 KPSM weighbridge centres in Sarawak and utilising online systems and social media platforms like the MPOB website, Facebook application, and WhatsApp,” he said in response to Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Earlier, Roy had inquired about efforts to promote and disseminate information regarding schemes and assistance provided under the Ministry, especially in rural and remote areas of Sarawak, where the population heavily relies on commodity cultivation as a source of income.
On the rubber industry, Fadillah said that the government has increased the Rubber Production Incentive price from RM2.70 to RM3.00 per kilogram, with a fund of RM400 million. An additional RM10 million will be spent on a pilot project that uses stimulating gas to triple rubber production. These efforts are anticipated to boost both the income of small rubber farmers and national rubber production.
Additionally, the Ministry is partnering with the Sarawak Department of Agriculture to run the Agriculture Outreach Programme. This programme provides hands-on experience in agricultural development and techniques to improve yields. The department also offers training, courses, and field trips for small farmers in Sarawak, sharing the latest in agricultural technology.
For those in the pepper industry, the Malaysian Pepper Board offers hands-on training, ongoing seminar sessions, and open dialogues to ensure information reaches all.
