FELDA Committed To Strengthening Plantation Sector Transformation

KOTA TINGGI, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) is continuing to take proactive steps to strengthen the nation's plantation sector transformation agenda.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the effort includes the implementation of the 25:23 Project. This initiative aims to increase the yield to 25 tonnes per hectare per year and achieve an oil extraction rate (OER) of 23 per cent by 2027.

He said this initiative also promotes quality, discipline, and collaboration between Felda and FGV Holdings Berhad, a major seed producer, to achieve this goal.

"FGV is a reliable seed producer and constantly enhances the quality of its seeds to achieve better yields. Felda's plantation management and the efficient operations of FGV's mills are equally important to ensure high oil extraction rates," he told reporters at the 2024 Best 25:23 Project awards ceremony at Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Lok Heng here today.

Present were FGV Holdings Berhad chairman Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa and Felda Johor Bahru Regional director Mohd Helmi Fakhzan Abd Wahab.

Ahmad Shabery said the event was held to recognise outstanding Felda personnel and plantation managers who have improved the productivity and quality of fresh fruit bunches. Awards were presented to individuals and top-performing plantation complexes involved in the 25:23 Project. The initiative will be expanded to 15 additional complexes.

"This reflects Felda's continued commitment to improving operational efficiency and plantation yields. As a major contributor to the global oils and fats industry, Felda and its subsidiaries are crucial in promoting sustainability, competitiveness, and the empowerment of the bumiputera economy," he said.

He also said that Felda is expanding the PMS 'Damar Berkat' operational model to reduce losses in settlers' produce, improve transaction transparency, and ensure higher income for them.

"The PMS model, successfully implemented by the Koperasi Permodalan Felda (KPF) since April, is set to be expanded following a pilot project in Bukit Damar, Lanchang, Pahang. We will soon introduce it to 11 additional locations and ultimately to over 40 areas. I hope this will be a game changer in managing palm fruits before they are sent to the mills," he said.

He added that six new PMS locations have been identified: Ijok and Nenering in Perak; Layang-Layang, Chemplak, Chemplak Barat, and Sri Ledang in Johor; and Kampung New Zealand in Pahang.

"This implementation will be guided by a comprehensive system that includes procurement, quality control of fresh fruit bunches, logistics for delivery to mills, and more competitive pricing," he said.

-- BERNAMA