20/11/2017 (The Borneo Post) - LONG LAMA, Baram: Smallholders in the northern region are advised to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.

Sarawak Dayak Oil Palm Plantations Association (Doppa) president Dr Richard Mani Banda said the certification is to address sustainability issues and challenges in relation to multi-stakeholder involvement in the industry.

Addressing smallholders at ‘Aram Besawit’ programme at Long Lama Community Hall in Baram here yesterday, he said: “The standard describes sustainability requirements for production throughout the supply chain from raw materials until the transportation to consumers and makes it possible for each group of players to perform their respective roles and functions”.

He further explained that through the certification stakeholders will be able to trace all activities throughout the oil palm supply chain and monitor the established sustainability standards.

Richard also explained that the Malaysian standard provides general principles on the requirements for plantations and organised smallholders to establish, maintain and improve operational practices within a management system framework.

“The standard covers the areas of operations of oil palm industry along the whole supply chain comprising seed production, nursery, estate, smallholdings, mill, kernel crushing, refinery, storage, transport, distribution, and management system development and operations.”

Meanwhile, out of the over 22,000 smallholders throughout the state, only around 800 have registered with Doppa.  During the programme jointly organised by Doppa and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), 40 smallholders submitted their application to be Doppa members.