Latest news with #TSPKS2.0
Daily Express
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
21 Sabah oil palm growers get RM1.62 million to replant
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 Text Size: Chan also acknowledged the achievement of Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan (KPSM) Apin-Apin, which successfully became the first KPSM in Sabah to obtain MSPO certification for their Pusat Timbang (weighing centre). Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting oil palm smallholders in Sabah's interior by delivering over RM1.625 million in assistance to 21 independent smallholders, covering a total area of 90.32 hectares for replanting purposes. During Chan's two-day working visit to Pensiangan, Keningau, and Tenom from June 9 to 10 he emphasised the strategic importance of Sabah as Malaysia's leading crude palm oil (CPO) producing state. Advertisement He noted that the Government remains focused on ensuring sustainable development in the palm oil sector, particularly for smallholders, by helping them align with global trends and market expectations. The allocation under the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0) was disbursed through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) during the visit. In addition, subsidies for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, support for good agricultural practices (GAP), chemical storage racks, and personal protective equipment (PPE) were also provided to enhance smallholders' compliance with MSPO standards. In Pensiangan, RM391,752 was channelled to five smallholders; in Keningau, eight smallholders received a total of RM713,534.40; and in Tenom, another eight smallholders benefited from RM520,425 in assistance. 'Interior Sabah has great potential for palm-based commodities. The Government not only provides financial assistance but also steers smallholders toward sustainable development through supportive policies,' said Chan. He highlighted that MSPO certification not only enhances international market recognition for Malaysian palm oil but also brings tangible benefits to smallholders, such as improved farming practices, environmental conservation, higher product quality, and ultimately, increased income. As of 30 April 2025, 30,768 smallholders in Sabah have obtained MSPO certification, covering a total area of 191,204.27 hectares, representing a 97.62% certification ate among the highest in the country. Chan also underscored the need for replanting oil palm trees over 25 years old or those no longer productive, to ensure sustained yields of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and stable incomes for smallholders. He urged smallholders nationwide to apply for the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0), which offers RM100 million in matching grant support, fully managed by Agrobank. The scheme is designed to ease the financial burden of replanting and promote long-term productivity. To date, 571 applications under TSPKS 2.0 have been approved in Sabah, covering a total replanting area of 2,505.06 hectares. This includes four approved applications in Pensiangan involving 19.89 hectares, 83 applications in Keningau covering 398.27 hectares, and nine applications in Tenom involving 33.48 hectares. Chan also acknowledged the achievement of Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan (KPSM) Apin-Apin, which successfully became the first KPSM in Sabah to obtain MSPO certification for their Pusat Timbang (weighing centre). This achievement setting an important example for other cooperatives in Sabah and Malaysia to obtain their MSPO Certification. He concluded by encouraging all eligible smallholders to make full use of the available incentives and government programmes to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of Malaysia's palm oil industry. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM1.6 mln aid for Sabah smallholders as govt pushes sustainable palm oil
Chan (front row, third from left) in Keningau to launch the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme 2.0 (TSPKS 2.0) programme. PENSIANGAN (June 10): Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting oil palm smallholders in Sabah's interior by delivering over RM1.625 million in assistance to 21 independent smallholders, covering a total area of 90.32 hectares for replanting purposes. During his two-day working visit to Pensiangan, Keningau, and Tenom from June 9 to 10, Chan emphasised the strategic importance of Sabah as Malaysia's leading crude palm oil (CPO) producing state. He noted that the government remains focused on ensuring sustainable development in the palm oil sector, particularly for smallholders, by helping them align with global trends and market expectations. The allocation under the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0) was disbursed through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) during the visit. In addition, subsidies for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, support for good agricultural practices (GAP), chemical storage racks and personal protective equipment (PPE) were also provided to enhance smallholders' compliance with MSPO standards. In Pensiangan, RM391,752 was channelled to five smallholders; in Keningau, eight smallholders received a total of RM713,534.40; and in Tenom, another eight smallholders benefited from RM520,425 in assistance. 'Interior Sabah has great potential for palm-based commodities. The government not only provides financial assistance but also steers smallholders toward sustainable development through supportive policies,' said Chan. He highlighted that MSPO certification not only enhances international market recognition for Malaysian palm oil but also brings tangible benefits to smallholders, such as improved farming practices, environmental conservation, higher product quality, and ultimately, increased income. As of 30 April 2025, 30,768 smallholders in Sabah have obtained MSPO certification, covering a total area of 191,204.27 hectares, representing a 97.62% certification rate — among the highest in the country. Chan also underscored the need for replanting oil palm trees over 25 years old or those no longer productive, to ensure sustained yields of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and stable incomes for smallholders. He urged smallholders nationwide to apply for the Oil Palm Smallholder Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0), which offers RM100 million in matching grant support, fully managed by Agrobank. The scheme is designed to ease the financial burden of replanting and promote long-term productivity. To date, 571 applications under TSPKS 2.0 have been approved in Sabah, covering a total replanting area of 2,505.06 hectares. This includes four approved applications in Pensiangan involving 19.89 hectares, 83 applications in Keningau covering 398.27 hectares, and nine applications in Tenom involving 33.48 hectares. Chan also acknowledged the achievement of Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan (KPSM) Apin-Apin, which successfully became the first KPSM in Sabah to obtain MSPO certification for their Pusat Timbang (weighing centre). This achievement setting an important example for other cooperatives in Sabah and Malaysia to obtain their MSPO Certification. He concluded by encouraging all eligible smallholders to make full use of the available incentives and government programmes to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of Malaysia's palm oil industry.
Daily Express
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
RM1.63 mil aid delivered to Sabah oil palm smallholders
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Over RM1.63 million was distributed to 21 oil palm smallholders in interior Sabah for replanting 90.32 hectares under the TSPKS 2.0 scheme, announced Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin during a two-day visit. The aid, channelled through MPOB, also included support for MSPO certification, agricultural practices, and equipment. Advertisement Chan emphasised Sabah's strategic role in Malaysia's palm oil sector and urged smallholders to adopt sustainable practices and apply for the RM100 million TSPKS 2.0 grant managed by Agrobank. To date, 571 applications covering 2,505 hectares have been approved in Sabah. Nearly 98 pc of Sabah's smallholders are now MSPO certified. KPSM Apin-Apin also made history as the first Sabah cooperative to obtain MSPO certification for its weighing centre. Chan called on all smallholders to utilize available government support to boost productivity and sustainability. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
RM100 million for smallholder replanting scheme: Chan
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Chan said the initiative is crucial to boosting productivity and income, particularly among smallholders in Sabah. NABAWAN: The Government has allocated RM100 million to support oil palm smallholders nationwide through the latest Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme for Oil Palm Smallholders (TSPKS 2.0). Under this scheme, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), in collaboration with Agrobank, aims to see over 1,500 smallholders benefit from replanting activities across nearly 6,000 hectares. Advertisement Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the initiative is crucial to boosting productivity and income, particularly among smallholders in Sabah. He added that the Government, through MPOB, also provides various forms of support to help smallholders obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification. These include certification fees, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), personal protective equipment (PPE) and chemical storage racks. 'To date, 571 applications have been approved in Sabah, covering more than 2,500 hectares of oil palm plantations,' he said. He was speaking to the media after officiating at the MSPO Strengthening Programme and TSPKS 2.0 at the District Council open hall here on Monday. Also present were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is also Pensiangan MP; Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) Chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin, who is also Nabawan Assemblyman; and Nabawan District Officer Marshal Anthony. Chan fears, that Malaysia's palm oil industry is currently facing major challenges, including accusations by external parties linking palm oil cultivation to environmental destruction, deforestation and loss of natural habitats. He said such issues have, to some extent, affected Malaysia's palm oil image and marketability on the international stage. 'To counter these negative perceptions, the Government introduced and implemented the MSPO certification as a strategic measure to ensure Malaysia's palm oil production is sustainable and complies with global standards,' he said. According to him, the MSPO scheme not only enhances global market acceptance but also benefits smallholders through improved GAP, environmental conservation and increased product quality –ultimately leading to higher incomes. As of April 30 2025, a total of 30,768 smallholders in Sabah have obtained MSPO certification, covering 191,204.27 hectares – representing 97.62 per cent of the certification rate in the State. For the Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster (SPOC) S11 (Pensiangan) cluster, 1,211 smallholders have been certified, covering 7,679.41 hectares. The MSPO scheme also includes support and guidance from MPOB's Tunas officers, the provision of plantation signage and a RM200 incentive to assist with land title amendment applications. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with MSPO standards and enhance the international market acceptance of smallholder-produced palm oil. At the same time, Chan highlighted the important role of cooperatives formed under the SPOC in uniting smallholders, enabling joint economic and social activities that benefit members. To date, 162 SPOCs have been established nationwide, demonstrating the Government's commitment to strengthening the palm oil sector at the grassroots level. Additionally, the Government through MPOB has introduced the Crop Integration with Oil Palm Incentive Scheme (ITa), aimed at increasing smallholders' income by integrating cash crops such as bananas, maize, watermelon, papaya and pineapple. The scheme has been further enhanced to include lemongrass and mushrooms. 'In parallel, the Government via MPOB has also implemented the Livestock Integration with Oil Palm Incentive Scheme (ITe), which aims to diversify smallholders' income sources,' he said. As of April 30 this year, a total of 430 livestock integration projects and 83 crop integration projects have been approved in Sabah, including a pineapple planting project in Pensiangan. To further support smallholders' socioeconomic sustainability, Chan said MPOB is promoting the establishment of Sustainable Oil Palm Growers' Cooperatives (KPSM) to unify and empower independent smallholders, while encouraging cooperation to boost incomes. To date, 70 KPSMs have been formed with a total membership of 8,811 nationwide. Of these, 28 are based in Sabah, with nearly 2,853 members. He said KPSMs have successfully undertaken income-generating activities such as selling downstream products, fertilisers and fresh fruit bunches (FFB) directly to palm oil mills in bulk. As of April 30 this year, total FFB sales by the 70 KPSMs nationwide have reached 87,124.03 metric tonnes. Chan also presented mock cheques for the TSPKS scheme, MSPO certificates, and oil palm smallholder licences. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Replanting and digital foreign worker system: Chan meets Hajiji on twin issues
Published on: Thursday, May 29, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 29, 2025 Text Size: Chan (third left) during the courtesy call on Hajiji. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor met with Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin to discuss increasing the replanting rate for smallholder oil palm farmers and implementing a digital registration system for foreign workers in Sabah. Chan said the implementation of the Smallholder Oil Palm Replanting Easy Financing Scheme 2.0 (TSPKS 2.0) could be optimally used by smallholders with the support of the State Government in expediting the verification process of land ownership status. He said Sabah is Malaysia's main producer of crude palm oil (CPO) and accelerating the replanting rate is crucial to ensuring continued productivity and long-term sustainability of the industry. He added the State Government's role in verifying land status is a key component in enabling smallholders to access financing under the TSPKS 2.0 scheme more easily and efficiently. The second major issue discussed was the implementation of a digital foreign worker registration system for the palm oil sector in Sabah. This system is seen as a crucial step towards more systematic and efficient foreign labour management. Advertisement Chan said the palm oil sector is heavily reliant on foreign labour and digital registration would enable the Government to organise worker data in a more transparent and structured manner, aligned with monitoring and security needs. He emphasised the need for close cooperation and continuous coordination between Federal and State Government agencies to ensure the system's effective implementation. Chan expressed deep appreciation to the Chief Minister for his continued support of the Ministry's efforts to develop and advance the agri-commodity sector, particularly the palm oil industry, which is a vital pillar of Sabah's economy. He said the Ministry firmly believes that strong collaboration between the Federal and State Governments will further enhance the competitiveness of the agri-commodity industry, ultimately benefiting the people and the country. Also present during the visit were the Ministry's senior officials, including the Senior Secretary of the Oil Palm and Sago Industry Division (BISS) Severinus Tukah; the Secretary of the Industrial Innovation and Human Capital Promotion Division (PIMI) Saravana Kumar a/l Marimuthu; the Secretary of State Internal Affairs and Research Datuk Shahminan Sahari; and the Chief Minister's Senior Private Secretary Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
