Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - IN A MOVE to improve its' public deliveryservices, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has relocated its branchoffice in Seremban to Seremban 2 to ease congestion.

The new building was declared open by State exco member in charge ofAgriculture and Agro-based Industries Datuk Razak Mansor recently.

MPOB director-general Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron and Seremban branch chiefWan Yasin Wan Daud were also present at the launch.

Razak said the state government would give its fullest support toagriculture and agro-based industries in line with the FederalGovernment's aim to revive the sector as the third engine of growth.

He said currently, a total of 142,000ha of agricultural land in NegriSembilan was used for oil palm, of which 13,000ha were owned by privatesmallholders.

Meanwhile, Dr Yusof said the old office in Bangunan Yayasan had been inoperation since 1985 and was getting too congested.

"We will also hold an open day on the third Friday of every month from 9amto 12pm and 3pm to 4pm, to answer public queries," he said.

Dr Yusof said the branch office would cater to customers in the centralregion namely Negri Sembilan, Malacca and parts of Selangor.

"As with other MPOB branches nationwide, the Seremban branch would deal inmatters such as licensing, enforcement and quality control of palm oilproducts," he said.

Dr Yusof said currently, the agency was embarking on a massive campaign toassist oil palm producers to increase their production.

"The static production over the last 10 years and a yield of about 3.73tonnes per hectare last year caused the country to lose out in millions ofRinggit in revenue," he said

He said to address the two problems, the agency would stress on theimportance of quality fertilisers and seeds and harvesting only ripe andfresh fruit.

The new office is located at 7, Jalan S2 B1, Lake View Square, Seremban 2.Tel: 06- 601 1534/1605.