MPOB charts new course for palm oil industry

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is undergoing a significant shift in its role, moving from research and regulation to a more market-driven approach. This transformation is part of the PALMS 2030 framework, which aims to bolster the industry's competitiveness, speed up technology adoption, and expand Malaysia's global market presence by 2030.

MPOB Director-General Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd emphasized that the agency must now be closer to the market, act faster, and drive change. PALMS 2030 is built on five principles - productivity, automation, low carbon, marketability, and sustainability - and will be achieved through three core value chains: institutional reform, industry leadership, and economic growth.

Key priorities include strengthening MPOB's international footprint, particularly through the establishment of regional offices in strategic markets. The transformation will also focus on moving Malaysia up the palm oil value chain by developing downstream products like oleochemicals, nutraceuticals, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Smallholder farmers will play a crucial role, with MPOB expanding the role of its Tunas officers to include technology transfer, productivity coaching, innovation leadership, market liaison, and sustainability. By 2030, MPOB aims to digitize at least 90% of its management and administrative processes, cutting bureaucracy and improving efficiency.

This transformation is expected to create high-skilled jobs, attract foreign direct investment, enhance Malaysia's technological capabilities, and contribute to food security.