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Sabah Oil Palm Industry Players Urged To Commit To Continuous Conservation Efforts
Sabah Oil Palm Industry Players Urged To Commit To Continuous Conservation Efforts
18/10/2014 (Bernama) - Sabah's oil palm industry players need to commit to continuous improvements in environmental management and conservation efforts.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Malaysian oil palm sector is acknowledged as strategic and well-planned, as it responds in a positive manner to the many challenges faced.
"There are gaps in the level of adoption of good agricultural practices by some players and the sector has to commit to continuous improvement in environmental management and conservation efforts.
"A key area for oil palm plantations is along the Lower Kinabatangan region, which is also an important site for biodiversity. The state government views seriously, conservation efforts in the area," he said at the East Malaysia Planters' Association (EMPA) seminar here, Friday.
The one-day seminar was attended by 200 participants to discuss "Pertinent Issues Confronting the Oil Palm Industry in East Malaysia" and held in conjunction with the 125 anniversary of the EMPA.
The association is one of the oldest planters' associations in the world.
Also present at the seminar was EMPA Chairman Datuk Othman Walat.
Musa said the task of conservation and environmental management is not the responsibility or even within the capacity of just one stakeholder organisation, and requires all parties to work together, as the Kinabatangan River area is economically important.
He said case studies should be developed to show how partnerships between tourism, agriculture, wildlife and other interest groups present in the Lower Kinabatangan, can work.
Musa also hoped that industry players would be willing to think out of the box, and be ready to adapt to change as and when the sector evolves.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Malaysian oil palm sector is acknowledged as strategic and well-planned, as it responds in a positive manner to the many challenges faced.
"There are gaps in the level of adoption of good agricultural practices by some players and the sector has to commit to continuous improvement in environmental management and conservation efforts.
"A key area for oil palm plantations is along the Lower Kinabatangan region, which is also an important site for biodiversity. The state government views seriously, conservation efforts in the area," he said at the East Malaysia Planters' Association (EMPA) seminar here, Friday.
The one-day seminar was attended by 200 participants to discuss "Pertinent Issues Confronting the Oil Palm Industry in East Malaysia" and held in conjunction with the 125 anniversary of the EMPA.
The association is one of the oldest planters' associations in the world.
Also present at the seminar was EMPA Chairman Datuk Othman Walat.
Musa said the task of conservation and environmental management is not the responsibility or even within the capacity of just one stakeholder organisation, and requires all parties to work together, as the Kinabatangan River area is economically important.
He said case studies should be developed to show how partnerships between tourism, agriculture, wildlife and other interest groups present in the Lower Kinabatangan, can work.
Musa also hoped that industry players would be willing to think out of the box, and be ready to adapt to change as and when the sector evolves.