05/04/2024 (Daily Express), Telupid - The Government has allocated RM100 million for the implementation of the Small Palm Oil Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0) for 2024.

Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, said they aim to have 7,000 participants in this scheme, with many application slots still available.

Therefore, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) encouraged small palm oil farmers to seize the opportunity provided by the Government to increase their income potential through replanting old oil palm trees.

Chan said an estimated 20 per cent of the oil palm plants in the country are already 20 years old.

He added that oil palm operators who have implemented replanting certainly expect a good income from the production of fresh fruit bunches at the peak productivity level.

“Small oil palm farmers under 6.5 hectares are encouraged to apply for the scheme and the refund will be calculated after the successful planting of the oil palm crops.

“Those who qualify will receive RM18,000 per hectare and will pay only half of that per hectare after oil palm starts providing income from the crop,” he said after inaugurating the TSPKS 2.0, at the District Multipurpose Hall.

The programme was an initiative of the Telupid Community Development Leader Unit together with the Telupid MPOB in providing relevant input to the participants present.

Also present were District Community Development Leader Marcellus Jefrey, representing State Legislative Assembly Member Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum, Sabah Zone 1 Tunas Coordinator Amran Arifin District Office Engineer Mohammed Hafezudin, District Chairman to Palm Growers Cooperative, Philip Josbet and District Police Chief, SM Muhammad Yusof Abdul Latif.

At the ceremony, Chan presented eight Incentive Schemes for the Integration of Crops with Oil Palm (ITa) and Incentive Schemes for Integration of Livestock with Oil Palm (ITe) as well as 10 MSPO Certificates to small oil palm farmers in district.

More than 200 participants in the programme attended by small oil palm farmers were also given exposure and information about the TSPKS 2.0 Scheme and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to strengthen competitiveness and skills in managing oil palm plantations.

Meanwhile, Chan said international crises such as unrest in the Middle East and Eastern Europe which are increasingly tense have increased global crude oil prices as well as affecting world oil and fat production which has contributed to the strengthening of palm oil prices which are now above RM4,000 per tonne.

In the same development, it is clear the Government also provides other assistance such as Agricultural Inputs for Oil Palm Smallholders (IPPCS), ITa and ITe for poultry to provide capacity and support the income of smallholders oil palm as an incentive for replanting.

Chan said until March 31 2024, a total of 355 livestock integration projects have been approved in the State, consisting of 13 chicken farming projects and four duck farming projects in the district.

He said MPOB will continue to support the development of small oil palm farmers who are the backbone of the country’s oil palm industry.

Small oil palm farmers can obtain all information and guidance related to government assistance and oil palm plantation management from Tunas MPOB officers stationed at Tunas MPOB offices throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Chan said the Ministry also provided RM20 million for the improvement of farm roads, RM8 million each for Semenanjung and RM6 million each for Sabah and Sarawak.

An allocation for farm roads is also provided, and he hopes local community leaders can submit reports on the need to improve farm and garden roads for further research.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/233030/rm100-million-for-oil-palm-replanting/