BINTULU: Following the success of its Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices held here recently, SOPPOA (Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association) will continue to focus on productivity and improving performances in the overall activities of the palm oil industry.
As discussed in the workshop, areas of concern were mainly related to limitation of land areas for planting, pest and diseases controls, productivity and performances as well as sustainability under the proposed MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) standards for the industry in Malaysia.
“While Sarawak is viewed as the last frontier for palm oil industry in Malaysia, there are limitations which have to be addressed. Growth of new planted areas is expected to slow down over the next few years due to limited land available for planting.
“Significantly, there are also serious concerns of substantially lower Fresh Fruit Bunch ( FFB ) yields for Sarawak, which in year 2013 recorded an average of only 16.23 tonnes per hectares compared to 20.88 and 19.26 tonnes per hectares for Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia respectively, due to age profile of planted oil palms and other factors,” said a spokesperson for SOPPOA.
SOPPOA believes that there are gaps that need to be closed through improvements in plantation management. Although the percentage of Oil Extraction Rates (OER) in Sarawak are comparable to the rest of the country, OER in the State has been on a declining trend over the years, in particular for those plantations located along the coastal region.
“In light of these weaknesses, SOPPOA would like to request Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to assist our local plantation companies in carrying out joint-studies to identify the causes and to find ways for improvements so that the Sarawak oil palm industry can realize its full potential.
Towards this end, SOPPOA called for growth in production through the improvement in plantation management and mills performance. SOPPOA will also be actively promoting to both our members and small holders/farmers best plantation management practices to realize the yield potentials.
At the same time, SOPPOA called for the second push for growth of the industry by focusing on productivity and sustainability of the industry.
“It must also be emphasized that SOPPOA is working closely with the relevant authorities in improving the productivity and performances in Sarawak by adopting Good Agricultural Practices as prescribed, and collaborating with fellow planters in areas of pest and diseases control as well as improving FFB yields and OER.
“In this connection, SOPPOA is requesting for more MPOB R&D activities in Sarawak to bring the industry’s performances to the levels achieved in other states,” he informed.
According to him, the main areas which will warrant more research are nutrients management for the estates, pest and disease controls, better labour management and adoption of the proposed MSPO for the production of sustainable palm oil in the industry here.
“In addition, SOPPOA is working closely with the relevant authorities in the state to further assist the industry to reach its full potential, including giving support and more assistance to smallholders who need inputs in bringing their productivity to greater heights. It is also noteworthy to know that MPOB will be holding a seminar for smallholders on this issue in the state in the near future which will benefit these smallholders/farmers to better manage their estates.
On the just concluded workshop in Bintulu, participants from SOPPOA member companies were updated by MPOB scientists and experts on the latest findings from research activities conducted in the state, sharing of experiences by members on good practices on pests and diseases controls, mills management and effluent management, MSPO guidelines and implementation principles, as well as weed management, nutrients management and related activities.
SOPPOA is committed to enhancing the industry’s performances and will continue to hold such activities on a regular basis to boost the productivity and performances of the palm oil industry here.
Taken from New Sarawak Tribune
