Plantations & Agriculture

Malaysia’s agricultural sector continues to be dominated by the export-oriented rubber and palm oil sectors, the latter of which has achieved primacy in recent years. Palm oil accounts for as much as 8% of Malaysia’s GDP alone, and the recent listing of major plantations owner Felda raised $3.1bn and earned cash payments for upwards of 100,000 families. The sector, however, is facing the challenge of transitioning from raw, small-scale agricultural production to value-added and technology-driven agribusiness. At the same time, concerns over food security are leading some to question the dominance of commercial over staple crops. This chapter features interviews with Bernard Giluk Dompok, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, and Sabri Ahmad, CEO & Group President, Felda Global Ventures Holding (FGV).