KOTA KINABALU: Smallholders can now use a new digital system to identify oil palm nurseries that comply with good nursery practices, as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) moves to improve plantation productivity from the planting stage.
The Code of Good Nursery Practice for Oil Palm Nurseries (e-CoPN) System was launched by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad here in conjunction with the National Oil Palm Smallholder Conference (PKPKS) 2026.
Noraini said the system was among two MPOB initiatives introduced at the conference to help improve yield performance among more than 253,000 oil palm smallholders nationwide.
“We are starting from the foundation, ensuring that high-quality planting materials and plantation practices are in place. From this strong foundation, we can build a more productive, resilient and sustainable industry,” she said.
The initiative comes as the palm oil industry faces growing international requirements for sustainability, transparency and traceability, with digital systems increasingly being used to establish the origin and production footprint of palm oil.
Noraini said the Government would continue strengthening the Malaysian Commodities Traceability System (SKKM) through MPOB-developed technologies such as the Sawit Intelligent System (SIMS) and GeoSAWIT to help smallholders provide buyers with information on the origin and production of their palm oil, particularly for export markets.
She said the Government would also continue to strengthen Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification to ensure smallholders remain able to meet changing global market requirements.
Nearly 194,000 independent smallholders nationwide have obtained MSPO certification through 162 Sustainable Palm Oil Clusters (SPOC), covering more than 723,000 hectares, or about 83.2 per cent of the total oil palm planted area owned by independent smallholders.
In Sabah, 30,384 independent smallholders have obtained MSPO certification, covering more than 188,000ha or 97.17 per cent of the total oil palm planted area owned by independent smallholders in the State.
“These numbers are not merely statistics. They show that our smallholders are fully capable of meeting global market demands when given the right support, guidance and opportunities,” Noraini said.
The Government has also allocated RM63.5 million under Budget 2026 to strengthen the palm oil market, promote sustainable certification among smallholders and address anti-palm oil campaigns globally, while supporting these efforts.
Besides e-CoPN, MPOB launched a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on pollinating weevil census, fruit set counting and the hatch-and-carry technique.
The guide provides a scientific reference for pollination management to improve fruit set formation and crop productivity.
Meanwhile, MPOB and FELDA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen research collaboration in climate action, responsible water resource management and biodiversity in plantation areas.
MPOB director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham, who delivered the opening speech on behalf of the MPOB chairman, said technology should ultimately be measured by its adoption in plantations and its impact on smallholders’ yields, costs and incomes.
“The success of the industry should not be measured only by the volume of technology or research produced, but by how widely these technologies are adopted in plantations, increasing productivity, reducing costs and boosting smallholders’ income,” he said.
He said MPOB’s PALMS 2030 approach would focus on Productivity, Automation, Low Carbon, Marketability and Sustainability, supported by three main agendas — Reforming the Institution, Leading the Industry and Driving the Economy.
“PALMS 2030 must deliver benefits to the industry and ultimately to the people, including smallholders,” he said.
Badrul Hisham also said the role of MPOB’s Tunjuk Ajar dan Nasihat Sawit (TUNAS) extension officers had been strengthened as a link between MPOB and smallholders.
He said TUNAS officers must be “the eyes of MPOB” in identifying problems, “the ears of MPOB” in listening to smallholders and “the hands of MPOB” in addressing issues on the ground.
“Industry reform cannot happen from the office alone. It must start in the plantations, be felt in the plantations and return to the smallholders,” he said.
The biennial PKPKS 2026, themed “Sustainability. Traceability. Transparency.”, brought together more than 500 oil palm smallholders from across the country.
The conference featured 13 presenters from the industry and MPOB researchers covering productivity, technology, sustainability, traceability, transparency and smallholder empowerment.
The event also saw the launch of the official PKPKS logo and the presentation of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry Awards 2025/2026 to recognise independent and organised smallholders and Sustainable Oil Palm Growers Cooperatives (KPSM).
