Kuala Lampur:The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is advocating for the increased use of technology to enhance the development of the palm oil industry. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad emphasized the need for industry players to adopt technologies that cater to their specific requirements to produce high-value products.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraini highlighted the role of technology in improving harvesting, boosting oil extraction rates, and enhancing mill efficiency. Her remarks were made during the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry Awards (AISM) 2025/2026.

Noraini further suggested that industry advancement should involve a collaboration between industry players and researchers to ensure that new technologies address actual needs. She noted the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) as a pivotal contributor, having commercialized over 240 technologies valued at over RM6 billion.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was identified as a tool that could provide more precise decision-making and expedite operations. Noraini mentioned that affordable technology would allow its benefits to be more widely accessed by the industry.

The AISM 2025/2026 recognized 36 winners across 12 categories, including awards for strategic partners and palm oil product exporters.

Additionally, the MPOB introduced the GeoSAWIT portal, a geospatial platform designed to map and verify oil palm plantation boundaries across the nation. The portal aims to digitalize the palm oil industry, enhancing transparency, traceability, and governance based on data.

The MPOB stated that GeoSAWIT will offer precise data on the palm oil landscape, useful for land use monitoring, risk assessment, and market compliance support.