Malaysia pushes tech adoption to boost palm oil sector efficiency
The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities urged growers to adopt new technologies, including AI and advanced harvesting tools, to raise palm oil output and value.
During the AISM 2025/2026 ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities emphasized the need for broader technology use in Malaysia's palm oil industry. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad urged companies to select solutions that match their specific needs, pointing to equipment that boosts harvest efficiency, oil extraction rates and mill productivity. She praised the Malaysian Palm Oil Board for bringing more than 240 technologies to market, estimating a potential value exceeding RM6 billion.
Ahmad added that artificial intelligence offers opportunities for more precise decisions and faster operations, provided costs remain manageable. The ministry also announced the launch of the GeoSAWIT portal, a national geospatial system that maps plantation boundaries to improve transparency and data-driven governance.
