Malaysia: MPOB achieves 70% mapping of oil palm smallholders

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has mapped 70% of independent smallholders' oil palm plantations using remote sensing technology and geographic information systems, with the goal of monitoring and providing insight into the industry. The data, accessible through the MPOB GeoPALM Portal, includes 85% of organized smallholders and 88% of estates in Peninsular Malaysia. This initiative aims to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and is part of the National Agri-Commodity Policy 2030, which includes regulations on oil palm plantations. The board is collaborating with geospatial data agencies to ensure accuracy and is showcasing the portal at international forums.

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, 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, has covered most areas, with Sabah’s update expected by year-end,” he told Bernama. In line with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), 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 ...