Palm oil sector faces new wave of biological, environmental threats: MPOB chief

Malaysia’s palm oil industry is confronting a growing wave of biological and environmental threats that experts warn could erode yields, undermine decades of progress and put the long-term sustainability of the nation’s plantations at risk.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said these challenges, if left unmanaged, risk undoing decades of progress built by the sector.

He said among the most pressing concerns is basal stem rot caused by the aggressive Ganoderma boninense fungus, which he described as one of the most destructive diseases affecting oil palm.

Other threats include leaf spot and a range of emerging pathogens that continue to weaken plantation resilience.

On pest infestations, Mohamad Helmy said the bagworm as one of the most damaging leaf-eating pests, capable of causing severe defoliation and significant yield losses when not properly controlled.

“At present, both basal stem rot and bagworm infestation remain the two most notorious and devastating pest and disease concerns for the Malaysian oil palm industry,” he said at the International Conference on Oil Palm Protection (ICOPP) here today.

To counter the threats, Mohamad Helmy said the adoption of integrated pest management is crucial, describing it as a balanced and sustainable framework that combines chemical, biological and agronomic methods to safeguard crop health.

Any pest and disease solutions must be rooted in sustainability to support long-term green management practices across plantations.

Mohamad Helmy added that strong biosecurity and quarantine measures are equally vital, serving as the first line of defence against the introduction and spread of exotic pests and diseases that could severely disrupt the industry.

He said the National Biosecurity Plan for oil palm plays a key role in protecting plantations from new and potentially devastating threats.

He highlighted the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification scheme introduced in 2013 as a testament to the industry’s resolve to balance productivity with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

“In the context of crop protection, sustainability means reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals, promoting environmentally friendly technologies such as biological and green solutions, and ensuring that innovations are practical and accessible to all, especially smallholders.

“International collaboration is critical to mitigate these potential risks as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he said.

The ICOPP, jointly organised by MPOB and the International Society for Oil Palm Protection (ISOPP), is being held for the first time in conjunction with the MPOB International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition (PIPOC) 2025.

At the opening ceremony, MPOB launched two books providing standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines for managing Ganoderma basal stem rot disease and for bagworm control.

Both publications were developed as comprehensive references for implementing IPM strategies to reduce crop damage and enhance long-term oil palm productivity.

Bagworm has been gazetted as a dangerous pest under the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167) since Nov 15, 2013.

Under the Act, operators who fail to report or manage infestations within the required timeframe may face penalties, a measure that has since heightened awareness and vigilance among growers.

The conference also highlights research developments in combating Ganoderma infection, a key threat to palm oil production, as well as new approaches in biosafety, IPM, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies and innovative pest and disease control methods.

ICOPP 2025 additionally marks the establishment of ISOPP, a professional platform bringing together scientists, industry experts and policymakers to strengthen global cooperation in oil palm crop protection.

Izzana Salleh, secretary-general of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), said ICOPP provides a vital platform for sharing expertise on oil palm protection, with a focus on pest management, biosecurity, emerging disease threats, advances in Ganoderma research, beneficial insects, AI technologies and resistance management.

The topics are central to maintaining plantation health, safeguarding yields, supporting smallholders and underpinning long-term sustainability.

“Many of our members face similar challenges, including rising pest and disease pressures and climate change. There is a pressing need to adopt advanced technologies and best practices,” she said.

Tags: oil palm, threats, environmental, biological, Malaysia, yields, palm oil