The National Association of Small Holders, Malaysia (NASH) – the trade association that represents theinterests of the more than 300,000 small palm oil farmers in Malaysia – is outwith a new video disputing President Obama’s recent commentsabout the Malaysian Palm Oil industry.
NASH is taking this opportunity to share the facts of the palm oil industry inMalaysia:
FACT: Malaysia is keeping the promise made at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 tomaintain at least 50 percent forest cover. According to the UN FAO, 62percent of Malaysia is forest cover.
FACT: Only 15 percent of the land in Malaysia is palm oil planted.
FACT: Malaysia’s palm oil industry includes over 300,000 small farmers.
Palm oil is a versatile food ingredient that is 100% free of trans fats, and isused in many baked goods, such as cookies and cereals. Palm oil derivatives canalso be found in household products such as detergents.
Today, more than 300,000 small farmers throughout Malaysia cultivate oil palmson plantations between 4 and 40 hectares, contributing to the more than 18million tons of palm oil exported to the world every year.
Small farmers of palm oil have played a major role in poverty reduction inMalaysia, and improving prosperity for rural communities.
Malaysia’s small farmers are a robust and diverse group of individuals, allcontributing to Malaysia’s national prosperity and cultural identity. They playan integral role in the success of the industry, which contributes RM53 billion(USD 16.57 billion) to Malaysia’s Gross National Income.
