PUTRAJAYA should counter anti-palm oil campaigns instead of just defending the crop against such rhetoric, said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

In an interview with Astro Awani tonight, the economic affairs minister said the European Union has gone “overboard” with the propagation of anti-palm oil rhetoric and launching campaigns against the use of palm products.

Malaysia is the world’s second largest producer of crude palm oil.

“We should be smart in tackling this. We have proposed that the responsible ministry should not only take on a defensive approach but also actively counter the allegations by some developed nations,” he said during the interview.

He said Malaysia has been accused of deforestation and endangering wildlife by clearing forests to start oil palm estates.

Malaysia should be firm while responding to such allegations.

“How about the land cleared for development in Paris or London. Why did that not become an issue? Wildlife were also endangered in those places,” he noted.

He said Malaysia should stand its ground when it comes to responding to such issues.

On another note, he said Felda settlers should not be solely dependent on palm oil.

Azmin said smallholders and plantations can use new technology and automation to improve their productivity.

The government is also looking to amalgamate small holdings of Felda settlers into one big plantation under a lease model.

“This will ensure that there is income stability and economics of scale to enhance productivity and efficiency.”

He said the idea has been well received by settlers, especially by the younger generation.

“We will work together with cooperatives and the Felda youth to introduce the initiative. We will also encourage them to venture into agriculture and fishing.”

The Agriculture and Agro Based Industry Ministry will be roped in to share their expertise in agricultural technology and marketing.

“Farmers, livestock rearers and fishermen have been making little money due to middlemen,” said Azmin while adding that this should be done away with.

The Economic Affairs and the Agriculture and Agro Based Industry ministries will meet on May 3 to discuss the initiative. – April 23, 2019.