Smallholder farmers are forced to diversify their crops facing the challenges of global markets

MIRI, Sept. 26: Small-scale palm farmers in Sarawak are forced to diversify their varieties and crops to meet the challenges of increasingly competitive global markets.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the move was important in light of changing conditions for sustainability of world palm trees and the demands of buyers and traders on global markets.

According to him, plant diversity can not only help small farmers face market challenges but also create a more stable and competitive source of income.

"In the face of a challenging global market, small-scale farmers need to make progress by diversifying crop varieties and yields", he said.

He said this while reading the text of the speech of Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi was the principal at the 11th Annual Dinner of the Sarawak Dayak Palm Potato Growers Association (DOPPA), here last night.

According to him, the palm coconut industry remains among the major contributors to Sarawak's economy with a crop area of about 1.67 million hectares.

Out of that total, 292,392 hectares were owned by small private gardeners involving 56,677 farmers across the state.

He added that the palm industry contributes about RM801 million to state revenue through state sales tax on crude palm oil (CPO), palm kernel and palm kernel oil.

"This makes the palm industry the second largest contributor to state revenue after petroleum", he said.

In 2025, palm products are estimated to contribute RM18.70 billion to Sarawak's total exports, while smallholder farmers account for about 15 percent of the state's total revenue from the palm industry.

Around 600 small farmers from across Sarawak attended the event, reflecting their support for DOPPA's role in representing the interests of those affected. - TVS