The government is expected to allocate RM1.4 billion in phases over five years to strengthen the oil palm replanting programme for smallholders under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), says plantation industries and commodities minister Johari Ghani.
He said the allocation is part of initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the country’s palm oil industry, particularly efforts to replace ageing and less productive oil palm trees.
“The parliamentary debate for 13MP will begin on Monday, and from there, we will receive a lot of feedback from members of parliament. In terms of the plantation industries and commodities ministry, I see that the government is taking steps to increase replanting among smallholders.
“With replanting, we can maintain the country’s position as the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil products and boost our exports, which currently stand at RM115 billion,” he said after attending the Johor Bahru Umno division meeting here today.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government is committed to advancing the development of strategic national sectors through various high-impact approaches under 13MP, particularly in subsectors including agro-commodities, halal industries, and Islamic finance.
The prime minister added that the government will focus on increasing productivity in the agro-commodity sector, such as palm oil, rubber, and cocoa, through the use of modern technologies like mechanisation, automation, robotics, as well as research and development.
