MPOB Introduces Excavator Pilot Project To Help Smallholders Boost Productivity

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), in collaboration with the Sustainable Oil Palm Growers Cooperative (KPSM) Sugut Paitan, Sabah, has introduced a pilot project under the Excavator Grant Scheme to help smallholders boost productivity.

In a statement today, MPOB said the pilot project involved an allocation of RM350,000 to KPSM Sugut Paitan for the purchase of an excavator, which will be used for the maintenance and repair work on estate roads.

"Through this symbiotic model, KPSM not only provides services at lower costs, but smallholders also benefit from improved infrastructure without having to bear high financial burdens,” MPOB said.

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Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin noted that the initiative enables KPSM to offer road maintenance services at reasonable rates that are lower than market prices.

“This will directly reduce the burden on smallholders, improving farm accessibility and supporting smoother farm operations,” he said.

Meanwhile, MPOB also announced that the government continues to promote oil palm replanting among smallholders through the Smallholder Oil Palm Replanting Incentive Scheme 2.0 (TSPKS 2.0).

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Chan said the incentive provided as a matching grant through Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd, involves RM100 million allocation and is expected to benefit 1,500 smallholders covering approximately 5,900 hectares of oil palm plantations.

Detailed information and the TSPKS 2.0 application form can also be found online at the website www.mpob.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA