It’s been 100 years since the first commercial planting of oil palms in Tennamaram estate in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. is the botanical name given to oil palm by a Dutchman, Nikolaus Josep Von Jacquin in 1763. The name refers to the oil of its fruit, where the word “elaeis” is derived from the Greek word elaia, which means olive while the guineensis refers to its place of origin which is regarded to be the Gulf of Guinea in equatorial Africa.

How it All Began

It was first introduced to Malaysia (then Malaya) in year 1875 as an ornamental plant. Realising its potential, it was planted commercially by French entrepreneur Henri Fauconnier in 1917, who also built the first palm oil mill in Malaysia. Since inception, the growers were mainly British planters and the cultivation further expanded throughout Malaysia taking over some of the previous rubber plantations. The economic potential of oil palm was significant and used to elevate the livelihood of many Malaysians especially those in the rural area. Through the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), the government introduced oil palm to replace rubber cultivation from year 1961. Cultivation among smallholders flourished across the country and surpassed rubber as the nation’s main economic crop in 1989.

Plantation Expansion in Malaysia

Oil palm plantations in Malaysia are based on estate management and smallholders schemes. Since the establishment of the first plantation in Tennamaram, plantations expanded up to Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. By 2016, oil palm cultivated area reached 5.74 million hectares. Sabah has the largest plantation with 1.55 million hectares, 27% of total area planted followed by Sarawak  with 1.51 million hectares or 26%. Meanwhile, Peninsular Malaysia (with 11 states) accounts for 2.68 million hectares or 47% of the total planted area. Total CPO from these areas records to 17.32 million tonnes, with FFB yield of 15.91 tonnes per hectare. This is what makes oil palm the most productive oil-crop of the world by producing 8 – 10 times more oil than any other major oil seed crops.

Research & Development in Oil Palm

Since the first establishment of the oil palm plantation 100 years ago, the industry has come a long way and reached many commendable milestones. Research and development in oil palm began as early as 1960 with the formation of the oil palm genetics lab. More research institutions and academia were established which concentrated on oil palm development such as Malaysia Agricultural Research & Development Institute – MARDI (1969), University Pertanian Malaysia – UPM (1973), Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia – PORIM (1979) which later merged with PORLA to establish Malaysian Palm Oil Board – MPOB (2000) which made Malaysia the global centre for R&D in oil palm today. [MPOB research centre / HQ building]

Palm Oil Processing and Refinery

In the 70’s, the increased industrialisation in Malaysia saw the commencement of crude palm oil refining and further processing which diversified the output products from palm oil and increased the income of the industry through exports. As of march 2017, the industry operates 449 FFB mills, 44 Palm Kernel Crushers, 50 Refineries and 20 Oleochemical plants throughout Malaysia. Palm-based oleochemicals began in 1980 with production of fatty acids using palm oil feedstock. Currently, Malaysia is the world’s largest producer and exporter of palm-based oleochemicals. They are widely used for cosmetics, personal care applications including skin care, hair care and oral care. It is also used to produce detergents, soaps and cleaners. [palm oil refinery]

Palm Oil Health & Nutrition

Throughout the years, the Malaysian government through PORIM conducted extensive collaborative studies with local and overseas institutions on palm oil nutrition and its effect on health. These studies has been essential to debunk the frequent “anti-tropical oil” campaigns made against palm oil which is associated to the risk of coronary heart disease due to the saturated fat content. Scientific studies has proven palm oil to be nutritious with many superior attributes despite relatively having higher saturated fat content. Palm fat is a suitable substitute to hydrogenated vegetable oils which is used to eliminate trans fat from the diet. Palm oil is one of the 17 edible oils cited by Codex Alimentarius, FAO and WHO as a wholesome and nutritious edible oil suitable for human consumption. It is consumed by over 3 billion people from more than 150 countries worldwide. It has become the most sought edible oil throughout the world for food application, non food products, animal feed and biofuel. [top 10 attributes of palm oil – Enriching Lives]

Oil Palm and the Environment

During the cultivation of oil palm for the past 100 years, Malaysia was committed towards the environment and sustainability. This was eminent through Malaysia’s pledge made in Rio Earth Summit 1992 to uphold 50% of our land under forest cover. The recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2015 report by UNFAO proves that the claimed deforestation caused by the palm oil industry is not valid in the case of Malaysia, which still has 22,195,100 ha or 67.06% of forest area (http://theoilpalm.org/malaysia-is-green-and-growing/). Malaysia also gives high priority towards conservation of its mega-biodiversity and no single species is left behind.

Through the years, sustainability and biodiversity has gained much priority in oil palm cultivation. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are put in place for better pest management and reduced use of pesticides and herbicides. Another milestone achieved by the industry is through the establishment of Malaysian Palm Oil Wildlife Conservation Fund (MPOWCF) in 2006 with an initial fund of RM 20 Million, in which the fund is managed by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). MPOWCF continuously identifies conservation projects and assists in the rehabilitation and survival of these iconic species. MPOC supports organizations such as PERHILITAN, Sabah Wildlife Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation in their efforts towards wildlife conservation.
The Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) was established under MPOWCF in collaboration with Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD). Currently MPOWCF also funds projects such as Bornean Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary (BEWS), Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) in Sabah, “Adopt a Tiger Program”.

Certified Sustainable Palm Oil

Palm Oil is an important commodity in the global oils and fats market and it is an essential vegetable oil for ensuring global food security. Malaysian palm oil is produced sustainably and responsibly for the past 100 years with compliance to existing national regulations complimented with best plantation management practices without neglecting the environmental and its services. Malaysian palm oil is important in supplying the world’s requirement for affordable oils and fats compared to other edible oils. Malaysia’s palm oil industry’s sustainability policy and certification system ensures the production and the availability of high quality palm oil in the global market.Certified sustainable palm oil is a growing trend and provides consumers with environmentally friendly options. Palm oil is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil using guidelines and criteria that were developed to minimise deforestation, habitat loss and social conflict. There are also other certification schemes developed at national level by each government of the palm oil producing countries. Malaysia has established its own certification scheme where the national standard on sustainability is applicable for smallholders and medium / large corporations. The standards ensures compliance towards Malaysian laws and ratifies international agreement and conventions. The standard also encompasses the 3 pillars of sustainability which is made mandatory for compliance by end of 2019.

This achievement of the oil palm industry as a major commodity for the nation calls for a celebration and a recognition on the contribution of oil palm and also all stakeholders while conveying the accomplishment message to fellow Malaysians and the global community. The Malaysian Palm Oil Industry will be having its centennial celebration official launch on 18th may 2017 at Tennamaram Estate, Batang Berjuntai, Selangor which will be officiated by Prime Minister, The Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. Join us in celebrating this event and the achievements of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry.

#MalaysianPalmOil
#MPO100years

Reference;
1. “Malaysia is Green and Growing” was posted in the blog “The Oil Palm” – www.theoilpalm.org (http://theoilpalm.org/malaysia-is-green-and-growing/).
2. http://bepi.mpob.gov.my/images/overview/Overview_of_Industry_2016.pdf
3. http://bepi.mpob.gov.my/index.php/en/statistics/sectoral-status/179-sectoral-status-2017/803-number-a-capacities-of-palm-oil-sectors-2017.html
4. http://www.palmoilhealth.org/news/100-years-of-malaysian-palm-oil-production/