KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has successfully mapped around 70 per cent of independent smallholders as part of its project to chart oil palm plantation coverage across the country.

MPOB director general Datuk Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir noted that the data, accessible via the MPOB GeoPALM Portal, includes 85 per cent of organised smallholders and 88 per cent of estates in Peninsular Malaysia.

By leveraging remote sensing technology and geographic information systems (GIS), he said MPOB is able to monitor plantations nationwide, providing valuable insights for the industry.

"The mapping project, done in collaboration with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), has covered most areas, with Sabah's update expected by year-end," he told Bernama.

In line with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Ahmad Parveez said MPOB has developed geolocation and polygon data for licensed oil palm growers, a key requirement for accessing the EU market.

"This effort involved close collaboration with geospatial data agencies such as the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department (JTU), and the Land and Survey Department Sarawak (LANDAS) to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the geolocation data and polygon maps generated for plantations," he explained.

The MPOB's GeoPALM Portal has been showcased at several international forums, including the Roundtable for Smallholder Inclusion for EUDR Requirements and the 1st Focus Group Discussion on EUDR Compliance.

Ahmad Parveez also highlighted that efforts are being intensified in collaboration with the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak to ensure that all oil palm growers in these regions meet the stringent standards of the EUDR.

He noted that stakeholders and smallholders have responded positively to the geo-mapping initiative, stating, "MPOB greatly appreciates the continued interest and support from all stakeholders and looks forward to providing further updates as they become available."

MPOB is spearheading the project to map oil palm plantation coverage in line with the National Agri-Commodity Policy (DAKN 2030).

Key objectives include capping the national oil palm planted area at 6.5 million hectares, banning new planting, tightening regulations on existing oil palm on peatlands, restricting the conversion of Permanent Forest Reserve (PRF) for agricultural activities, and making official plantation maps publicly accessible.

Ahmad Parveez pointed out that Indonesia is preparing for EUDR compliance by developing a National Dashboard for Sustainable Commodity Data.

This initiative aims to improve the traceability of key commodities, such as palm oil, to align with EUDR standards.

He emphasised the collaborative efforts between Indonesia and Malaysia through the Joint Task Force, underscoring a unified regional approach to effectively address the challenges posed by the EUDR.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2024/09/1106267/mpob-mapping-oil-palm-smallholders-nationwide-70pct