BANGI, June 30 — The Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) commercialisation of more than 240 technologies with a combined potential market value exceeding RM6 billion demonstrates that Malaysia’s palm oil research remains aligned with industry needs, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said.
She said MPOB research is not only generating new discoveries, but is also being translated into technologies, products and solutions that directly benefit the palm oil industry.
“Current MPOB research focuses on key areas such as ESG-compliant fertiliser formulations, artificial intelligence (AI) systems for harvesting and fresh fruit bunch grading, estate mechanisation, oleochemical products, food security, and sustainable technologies.
“Technology is no longer an optional add-on. It is now a core requirement to ensure Malaysia’s palm oil industry remains competitive,” she said when launching the MPOB Palm Oil Technology Transfer (TOT) Programme 2026 here today.
Also present were MPOB chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha and MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir.
Noraini said Malaysia has set a cap on oil palm plantation area, meaning industry growth can no longer rely on expanding land use, but must instead focus on extracting higher value from existing planted areas.
She said productivity gains must be supported by research and development (R&D), technology, data, mechanisation and good agricultural practices.
“This is where R&D plays a crucial role. The future of the palm oil industry must be driven by technology, data, mechanisation, good agricultural practices and innovation that can be deployed on the ground,” she said.
According to MPOB, the agency has developed 364 technologies to date, of which 241 have been commercialised, underscoring the ability of local research to be translated into commercial applications.
The MPOB TOT 2026 programme brought together more than 500 participants, including industry players, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and micro, small and medium enterprises, and featured business matching sessions, technology demonstrations and briefings on commercialisation funding opportunities.
