Malaysian smallholders secure 162 MSPO groups by June 2026

KOTA KINABALU, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

A total of 162 Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster groups have achieved Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification as of June 2026, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. The certification covers 197,933 private smallholders nationwide.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board, known as MPOB, outlined the figures during the National Smallholders Palm Oil Planters' Congress 2026. The meeting brought together industry participants to address productivity, technology, traceability, and transparency.

MPOB stated it will continue delivering practical technology to smallholders. This includes high-quality planting material, good agricultural practices, mechanisation, and artificial intelligence tools.

International markets now demand complex traceability and geolocation data. MPOB developed the GeoSAWIT portal as a national geospatial platform to support sustainability and meet these requirements.

The agency introduced a new framework named PALMS 2030 to guide the sector. The initiative aligns with the National Agricommodity Policy 2021-2030, according to the congress address.

PALMS 2030 focuses on productivity, automation, low-carbon practices, market value, and sustainability. MPOB stated the framework relies on three main agendas to reform institutions, lead the industry, and generate economic value.

Smallholders must gain better yields, access cost-reducing technology, and avoid exclusion from global supply chains. Certification under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standard remains central to maintaining international market access.

MPOB will strengthen smallholder participation through Palm Oil Liaison and Advisory Officers, known as TUNAS. The agency wants these officers to act as direct links to solve field problems.

Smallholders can also boost their bargaining power through cooperative groups such as the Sustainable Palm Oil Planters Cooperative. Selling fresh fruit bunches through cooperatives opens room for better member returns.

The congress was officiated by Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. Organisers intend the biennial event to provide practical solutions that smallholders can apply directly on their farms.

Related: Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) · Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad · Kota Kinabalu