OILS, FATS AND PHYTONUTRIENTS
Oil palm, rubber, cocoa and coconut are perennial tree crops which contribute to the economy of Malaysia significantly. Covid-19 had shown the importance of palm oil for the world vegetable oil market.
While the large plantation companies have their own research and advisory services, small-holders need special assistance to compete in the international market. With the rising cost of fertilizers and scarcity workers, there is a need for new technologies to attract young entrepreneurs.
The use of exoskeleton technology, ai, robotics and drones to carry heavy loads such as oil palm bunches, harvesting, fertilizer application, loose fruit collection etc.
There is an urgent need to improve the productivity and income of small-holders. Formation of cooperatives by small-holders will improve the economy of scale. The full use of inter-cropping between inter rows of oil palm and rubber will enhance the productivity of the land. Crops such as pineapple, water-melon and vegetables have been cultivated rather successfully.