BACKGROUND

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is a premier government agency under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, entrusted to serve the country's oil palm industry. Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) was established on 1st May 2000 under Section 3 of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 (Act 582). MPOB is operating under the provisions of Act 582.  The objectives are— (a) to promote and develop the oil palm industry in Malaysia; and (b) to develop national objectives, policies and priorities for the orderly development and administration of the oil palm industry.  Oil palm industry is a dynamic industry and has been through a phase of gradual development that contributes to the economic development of the country.

The organisation's activities include research, publication, development and implementation of regulations and the promotion of the palm oil industry in Malaysia. The MPOB oversees all stages of palm oil production in Malaysia, from planting to exporting. It publishes several journals, including the Journal of Oil Palm Research. MPOB has been focusing on supporting palm oil smallholders by making available funds and additional services for palm oil producers with fewer than 2.5 hectare of land. These growers are eligible for government assistance intended to help smaller producers compete with larger plantations. The MPOB supports the development of new products including biodiesel and alternate uses for palm biomass, the organic waste produced when processing oil palm trees. The research into biomass has led to the development of wood and paper products, fertilisers, bioenergy sources, polyethylene sheeting for use in vehicles and other products made of palm biomass. Under the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA), which has been inspired by the Government in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011 - 2015), will transform the country from a middle-income to high-income nation. The importance of biogas trapping is evident from its inclusion as one of the eight Entry Point Projects (EPPs) of the palm oil sector under National Key Economic Areas (NKEA). MPOB plays vital roles in this context.