The Oil Palm

The Malaysian palm oil model is set to generate considerable development benefits throughout Africa, as stakeholders welcome greater foreign investment in the agricultural sector. The Malaysian palm oil model is recognised as a promising mechanism to foster small farmer agricultural co-operatives that have the potential to drive development and improve food security.

A scientific study on orang-utan distribution throughout Borneo has indicated that Malaysian authorities are pursuing an effective orang-utan conservation strategy.

New research shows that vitamin E from palm oil may save brain cells in the event of a stroke. The study, conducted by Professor Yuen Kah Hay of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) found that 200mg of palm tocotrienols taken twice daily can improve chances of recovery following a stroke.

High ranking EU official praised Malaysian environmental sustainability initiatives, for simultaneously achieving environmental and economic development goals. The new European Union (EU) Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Malaysia, Luc Vandebon, recently commented that “Malaysia is taking the right initiatives.”

The UN has highlighted the need for greater investment in agriculture in order to tackle poverty and hunger in developing nations.

This is precisely the approach taken by the Malaysian palm oil industry, which invests significantly in rural development, smallholder cultivation, and agricultural productivity throughout South-East Asia and Africa.

This was one of the key messages in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) annual report – State of Food … Read More

Last week the Commercial Court of Paris ruled against large French retailer – Système U – ordering the company to halt its anti-palm oil advertising campaign.

Palm oil growers celebrated the legal ruling as a victory against anti-palm oil campaigns which discriminate against vegetable oil producers from developing countries.

The complaint was lodged by African palm oil growers after the French retailer launched a public campaign attacking palm oil. Système … Read More

A new generation of palm oil small farmers are being given an opportunity to own homes and improve their livelihoods, according to Malaysian media reports.

FELDA, the Malaysian Federal Land Development Authority which administers a national smallholder palm oil scheme, is reportedly offering new opportunities for participants under the ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ FELDA programme.

The FELDA programme offers settlers the opportunity to improve their livelihoods by participating in the production … Read More

POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Dr Pang Teck Wai traveled to China this week to educate participants in a commodities sourcing seminar on the traditional and alternative benefits of palm oil in the world’s largest market for imported palm oil. The event, organized in conjunction with the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce provided the Malaysian company … Read More

The US Government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently concluded a visit to Malaysia as part of their assessment of greenhouse gas (ghg) savings from palm oil based biofuels. The final assessment will inform the decision of whether palm oil derived biofuels meet sustainability requirements under the US renewable fuel standard.
The field visit to Malaysia comes after complaints that the EPA’s initial assessment could not be scientifically substantiated.

Biodiesel produced … Read More

A statement from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron on the proposed ‘Nutella Tax’ offered by French Senator Yves Daudigny:

“Malaysia is deeply concerned with French Senator Yves Daudigny’s proposed 300 per cent tax increase on palm oil. The proposal is based on inaccurate claims that palm oil is bad for health and nutrition, and that Malaysia does not respect the environment. Palm … Read More