KUCHING: Small oil palm shareholders are encouraged to diversify their economic activities, stressed Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
According to Uggah, who is the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, his ministry was in the process of looking at a master plan for the oil palm sector after the industry has been under threat from the European Union (EU) ban.
“Their (EU) decision to ban oil palm products is very disappointing as it affects our smallholders because any reduction in supply means it can affect the price.
“In fact, their decision to reduce the oil palm products can affect the production level in the country. “We are capping our growth of oil palm to two million hectares and we are encouraging them (smallholders) to go to other industries and crops.
“Stingless bee is one of the potential economic activities that can help to diversify the smallholders income, and that is why there is a change in the government policies on subsidies to the growers,” said Uggah when met by reporters after officiating the International Biohealth Science Conference (IBCS) 2018 held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.
He pointed out that the smallholders can opt for rearing goats or cattle, mushrooms, durians and pineapples.
