KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) — The government allocated RM9.8 million to address major diseases and pests affecting oil palm crops for 2025, including Ganoderma and bagworms, said the Plantation and Commodities Ministry.
This comprises RM5 million under the Smallholder Oil Palm Replanting Scheme 2.0 to assist independent smallholders affected by Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot (BSR) infections, and RM4.8 million for the control of bagworm and mealybug infestations.
The ministry said it takes the issue of Ganoderma BSR seriously and is implementing various short- and long-term solutions.
“Treatment for Ganoderma BSR is carried out together with sanitation practices and comprehensive plantation management, including the use of biological control methods.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board conducts regular programmes to increase awareness and understanding among independent smallholders on the use of effective technologies and to avoid unverified treatments,” the ministry said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on the Parliament website today.
The ministry was responding to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH–Beruas), who asked the ministry for the allocation amount and measures taken to address major oil palm diseases such as Ganoderma, bagworms, mealybugs, and sooty mold.
The ministry said special funds were used to implement aerial spraying using helicopters and trunk injection treatments to control bagworms and mealybugs. Aerial spraying of biopesticides for bagworm control covered 2,327 hectares in Perak and Johor until December 2025.
The ministry also said mealybug infestations, which caused sooty mold outbreaks in Sabah, are being addressed through an integrated pest management approach, including the use of biological control agents, spraying using drones and helicopters, and the establishment of a special action committee to monitor the current situation.
— BERNAMA
