31/5/2007 Business Times (Malaysia) -- SmallHolders are encouraged to improve their oil palm yield by adopting better agricultural practices so as to raise the industry average of 4 tonnes per ha per year.

In a move to improve last year's crude palm oil (CPO) production of 15.8 million tonnes, the Government is encouraging planters to learn how to optimise use of fertilisers and irrigation so that their palm trees will bear more fruits.

This year, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board has targetted the country to squeeze an additional 4 per cent of CPO to 16.5 million tonnes.

This will be among topics discussed by participants at the "Oil Palm Industry in Malaysia" seminar to be held in Kuala Lumpur on June 19, which will be officiated by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin.

"Last year, about 300 smallholders participated in the seminar. We hope for the same numbers if not more this year," Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor chairman Kerk Loong Sing told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Other topics that will be discussed include planting of better yielding seedlings, how best to use fertilisers to increase oil palm yield, pest and diseases, and opportunities in downstream businesses.