Borneo Post Online (10/01/2019) - KLANG: Oil palm smallholders must be committed to achieving the criteria of the Malaysia’s Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme by year-end to support the government’s strategy to enhance the commodity industry’s competitiveness and image.

Deputy Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said this would pave the way for the MSPO certification compliance that would be mandatory from Jan 1 next year to elevate the national palm oil standards and boost the commodity exports globally.

“All oil palm smallholders among the indigenous communities are targeted for the MSPO certification and the campaign will be conducted throughout the year through briefings and information dissemination.

“It is a comprehensive approach to reflect the government seriousness in countering anti-palm oil campaign by the European Union and to ensure that the country’s oil palm production abides by the international standards,” he told reporters after presenting MSPO certificates to 40 Orang Asli oil palm smallholders from the Kuala Langat District on Carey Island near here today.

Through the programme, target groups are briefed on the importance of the MSPO certification, which encompasses good agricultural practices and its benefits.

Besides oil palm smallholders, plantation operators and palm oil mills also need to comply with the MSPO certification by year-end.

Commenting on a claim that some palm oil mills are buying oil palm from smallholders at a cheaper price than the market, Shamsul Iskandar said the government, through Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan (KPSM), was striving to stabilise the price by offering reasonable rates.

“The co-op is committed to placing a reasonable price so these mills cannot manipulate the price. If the price offered by KPSM is better, certainly many smallholders will sell their produce to the co-op. This is our strategy.

“Recently, we had agreed to set up a revolving capital of RM1 million to further spur oil palm purchasing activity by the co-op to stabilise the oil palm price at the mid level. However, this is still at the discussion stage with the Ministry of Finance,” he said. – Bernama

Read more at http://www.theborneopost.com/2019/01/10/smallholders-must-be-committed-to-achieve-mspo-certification/