JULAU: Efforts to strengthen the sustainability of Sarawak’s palm oil industry gained further momentum with the organisation of the Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation Course in Meluan on Monday.

The initiative aims to promote environmentally friendly planting practices and climate-smart technologies as the industry adapts to increasingly unpredictable global weather patterns.

Meluan Assemblyman, Dato Rolland Duat Jubin, said the palm oil sector remains a vital economic pillar for rural communities, especially in areas like Meluan where smallholders depend heavily on the crop.

He noted that favourable market prices continue to benefit many local families, but stressed that long-term gains must be supported by responsible land management.

“Palm oil is a major income source for our people. However, I urge all stakeholders, including smallholders, to ensure their planting practices do not harm the environment.

“Meluan has vast land potential. With modern methods and climate-smart approaches, this area can become a model for sustainable palm oil cultivation,” he said when officiating the programme at Rumah Margretta Tujang, Kerangan Buloh.

Organised by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Kongres Kebangsaan Dayak (KEDAYAK) in collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the course forms part of the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Palm Oil Smallholders (NI-SCOPS II).

The programme gathered smallholders from across Meluan to strengthen their skills in modern and efficient farm management.

Participants received practical demonstrations on tree care techniques, nutrient management, field monitoring and methods to improve yields sustainably.

They also had the opportunity to interact directly with MPOB officers and technical experts to better understand climate-smart agricultural practices. -UKASnews