By Mas Aliza Abu

Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, 1 February 2021 – The agriculture sector is said to have been badly affected by the MCO, which leads to lower production across most of the subsectors.

YBhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Imran Ho Abdullah, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry, Alumni & Community Partnerships in his opening speech to officiate the MPOB-UKM Virtual Forum on Palm Oil Outlook Post Covid-19: Challenges and Expectations said, the agriculture sector is expected to turn around by 4.7% in 2021, supported mainly by higher production of palm oil and rubber. The oil palm subsector is anticipated to rebound following improvements in global demand, particularly from China and India.”

He also said that one of the major challenges for palm oil producing countries includes the EU Palm Oil and Deforestation Resolution.

“One of the most challenging issues confronting the oil palm industry is proving its commitment to the sustainable production of palm oil and oil palm products. Several non-governmental organizations have related oil palm cultivation to deforestation and declining biodiversity.”

Thus, the virtual forum held is hoped to highlight the possible opportunity for the palm oil industry to rally against time to meet the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme for all palm oil produced.

The invited speakers for the virtual forum are Dr. Zainab Idris from MPOB, Dr. Pietro Paganini, the Founder and President of Competere – Policies for Sustainable Development, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azhar Ahmad, the Manager of MPOB-UKM Endowment Chair and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Novel Lyndon, also from MPOB-UKM.