Batu pahat: The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification is not just a certificate, but rather a 'shield' for the country's palm oil industry as well as guaranteeing the future of smallholders. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad emphasized the significance of MSPO certification as proof that Malaysian palm oil is cultivated with good, organised, and environmentally responsible practices.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Noraini highlighted that the global market's increasing demands necessitate transparency in the sourcing of palm oil. Foreign buyers are keen to ensure that the palm oil they purchase is produced sustainably and with environmental care. "That's why MSPO is important. It helps protect the future of smallholders and ensures that Malaysian palm oil continues to be accepted in the world market," she stated during the MSPO Strengthening Programme for Palm Oil Smallholders at the Parit Sulong Regional Farmers Association hall.
Noraini further disclosed that as of June 15, the implementation of MSPO for private smallholders under the supervision of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) had successfully certified 162 Sustainable Palm Oil Clusters (SPOCs). The total certification encompasses 197,933 smallholders across more than 731,000 hectares nationwide. In Johor alone, 43 SPOCs have been certified, involving 55,194 smallholders over 128,720.26 hectares, while the Batu Pahat district accounts for 15,641 smallholders with certification covering 29,122.54 hectares.
She assured that the government is committed to alleviating the financial burden on smallholders concerning certification costs. The government has agreed to fully bear costs for the private smallholders category, including audit fees and related training. On initiatives to boost productivity, she mentioned the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme 2.0 (TSPKS 2.0). For Johor, 1,061 applications have been approved, covering 2,655.94 hectares, and in Batu Pahat, 126 applications have been approved, covering 364.30 hectares.
Noraini also encouraged smallholders to adopt technological advancements, such as palm fruit cutting machines (Cantas), which can significantly enhance harvest productivity from 1.8 tonnes to 3.2 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches per worker per day.