JOHOR BARU: Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the government is expected to allocate RM1.4 billion over the next five years to support smallholders in replanting ageing oil palm trees.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said today that the initiative aligns with the government’s goal of strengthening Malaysia’s position as the world’s second-largest palm oil producer.
“The parliamentary debate on the 13MP begins tomorrow, and we expect valuable feedback from members of parliament.”
Johari added that the ministry is making a strong push to assist smallholders with replanting.
He said about RM1.4 billion will be required over five years — not annually — to encourage smallholders to rejuvenate aging plantations with higher-yielding varieties.
He said this after officiating the Umno Johor Baru conference here, accompanied by division chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar.
He was responding to questions about the 13MP, which was tabled in Parliament on Thursday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
While tabling the 13MP, Anwar reaffirmed the government’s resolve to revitalise strategic sectors, including agricultural commodities, the halal industry, and Islamic finance, by boosting productivity in palm oil, rubber, and cocoa through modern technologies such as mechanisation, automation, robotics and targeted R&D.
Johari, who also serves as the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, said an aggressive replanting initiative would boost Malaysia’s export potential and strengthen its global market share.
“Malaysia’s commodity exports stand at about RM115 billion, and this replanting initiative is expected to contribute to our export growth.
“If we can upgrade and replant large areas of ageing oil palm trees, it will boost our capacity and competitiveness in the global palm oil market.”
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