Palm Oil Training Centre of Malaysia (Plasma) in Lahad Datu, an area identified as the palm oil industry hub of Sabah and Sarawak, is officially open by Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui. Pix: Zamain Singkui

LAHAD DATU, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The setting up of the Palm Oil Training Centre of Malaysia (Plasma) in Lahad Datu, an area identified as the palm oil industry hub of Sabah and Sarawak, is timely in view of the requirement for highly trained resources for the industry which has grown tremendously in the two states, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said.

The industry is growing fast in Sabah namely in the areas of Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Tawau, covering more than 1.1 million hectares or 95 percent of the total oil palm areas of Sabah.

In Sarawak, more than 500,000 hectares have been planted with the commercial commodity, he said at the official launch of Plasma here, Friday.

Plasma which has been established by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, aims to develop human resources for the industry, preparing efficient staff for all levels of operation in the sector right from the sowing of the seed, to plantation activities, milling, processing, storing and support services.

The centre which was completed recently at a cost of RM10 million is the first such training centre developed by MPOB to provide training for the palm oil industry in Sabah and Sarawak. Another similar centre is expected to be set up in Karatong, Pahang to provide training for industry participants and also small holders from the peninsular.

Chin said that the ministry, through MPOB, would carry out training programmes to raise the efficiency level of the industry.

The seminars and practical training programmes would be carried out at the centre which is located at the MPOB Lahad Datu Research Complex.

A total of 300 participants could attend these theoritical and training sessions at one given time, he said.

"With its comprehensive conference facilities, Plasma would be able to play a supportive role in the progress of the palm oil industry and towards making a reality of the vision to develop Sabah as a hub for the oil and fats industry in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

"With the rapid growth of the palm oil industry in Sabah and Sarawak, the need for human resources particularly in the plantation sector has been increasing. According to projections, the need for human resources in the industry in Sabah by 2010 would go up by 32 percent to almost 188,000 work force compared with 2004," Chin said.

Oil palm planted areas in Sabah has shot up from 876,300 hectares in 1998 to 1.18 million hectares by mid 2005, while in Sarawak the area has gone up from 248,800 hectares to 515,350 hectares, he said.

The industry is also the largest export revenue earner for Sabah bringing in RM7.0 billion worth as at November last year, or 37.5 percent of the total exports of the state, he said.

"The development of the palm oil industry has also created economic opportunities to the rural folks and smallholders who cultivate the crop privately with a monthly income of about RM745, which is past the point of poverty in Sabah state," he said.

Consequently there have been growth in the activities of palm oil processing and mills as well, whereby last year, a total of 105 factories undertook the processing of fresh fruit bunches, 12 more factories the processing of palm kernel fruits while another eight mills also operated in Sabah.

Another seven storage centres were also set up with the capacity to hold 144,400 tonnes around the areas of main ports such as Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau to actively undertake the export of oil palm based products, he said.

Chin said the government was also always ready to give focus to the smallholders through the provision of various incentives and advisory services.

Among them have been the allocation of RM10 million which would be distributed through MPOB to help those who cannot afford, to get the supply of quality oil palm seedlings.

"Under the scheme, smallholders with earnings of less than RM690 in Sabah, qualify to be considered for the seedlings assistance which would be supplied by MPOB approved cultivators of such seedlings," he said. -  BERNAMA