12/07/2012 (Bernama) - Sarawak is determined to promote the application of good agricultural practices in the oil palm industry.

Minister of Land Development Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing said rather than stopping industry expansion, the most acceptable way to promote sustainable oil palm industry could be through a tightly disciplined application of good agricultural practices.

"We need a practical protocol for good agricultural practices in the oil palm industry. The government has identified the booming oil palm industry as one of the prime sectors to stimulate the economy and propel Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020," he said at the launching of Borneo's largest trade expositions - Palm Oil Technology Sarawak 2012 and Sarawak Oil and Gas Expo 2012, here Wednesday.