'Govt taking action to tackle spread of sooty mold disease in Sabah oil palm plantations'
29/02/2024 (New Straits Times), Kota Kinabalu - The government is taking necessary measures to counter diseases affecting Sabah palm oil production.
Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said he has been informed that Mealybug, which is a type of fungus carrying sooty mold disease, is spreading widely in oil palm plantations in Sabah, especially in Tawau and Lahad Datu.
"This disease will attack the fronds of oil palm trees and disrupt the photosynthesis process that occurs on the leaves, thereby stunting tree growth and affecting the quality of oil palm fruit yield," he said.
Based on a presentation by Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd (AAR), Chan said the company had found the declining production of fresh fruit bunch (FFB) from 2018 to 2023 at an average rate of 5.61 per cent per year in Tawau.
He said the situation was caused by sudden decrease in photosynthesis rates.
"As a result, AAR has initiated research and tree treatment work since 2022 to identify appropriate treatment methods and the use of suitable pesticides.
"After several treatments, the disease outbreak can be effectively controlled, and oil palm tree photosynthesis rates successfully restored," he added.
Chan, who is Kota Kinabalu member of parliament, said a full-scale treatment has begun this month at KLK Sabah estate using trunk injection and chemical spraying methods.
"However, I understand that many small private farmers are still unaware of the effects of sooty mold disease.
"To prevent a decline in FFB production and income for small farmers, I have requested cooperation from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to assess the severity of sooty mold disease among smallholder farms, and relevant statistics for further action.
"I will also organise engagement sessions with small farmers in Sabah to boost awareness and assist them in managing the disease."