KUCHING: The Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) reaffirms its support for smallholders who face difficulties in dealing with the relevant authorities on issues related to the sale of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in Sarawak.
These relate mainly to the clamp down on palm oil millers and dealers suspected of purchasing of FFB from unlicensed sellers, and issue of show-cause letters to millers and dealers who are perceived to have purchased FFB in excess of the quantity allocated in their licenses.
As a result, millers and dealers have refrained from buying any FFB beyond the normal expected yield based on planted acreage of the smallholders. Some smallholders involved in selling illegally harvested FFB to palm oil millers and dealers of FFB have also been issued with show-cause letters.
“Soppoa is always in total support of the government in matters pertaining to the palm oil industry,” the association said in a statement yesterday. “Definitely eliminating the practices of illegal harvesting of FFB and sale of stolen FFB is a prime concern for all producers in the state which can lead to undesirable consequences and loss to everyone – plantation owners and smallholders alike.
However, Soppoa would like to reiterate that the association is always ready to support and assist the smallholders in matters pertaining to the growth and wellbeing of the industry, including buying FFB produced at prevailing market prices.
“Soppoa members fully support the smallholders as part of the key players in the oil palm industry in Sarawak. In this connection, all members’ mills are called upon to give full support to all smallholders/farmers who are located within their vicinities by accepting their crops when delivered to the mills,” he added.
On the issue of stolen or illegally harvested FFBs being sent to mills, a Soppoa spokesperson said that some mills have been threatened with suspension of license by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) on suspicion of purchasing FFB from unlicensed sellers.