KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's plantation industry must accelerate productivity and technology adoption to address rising operating costs, labour shortages and intensifying global competition.
Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the industry could no longer rely solely on conventional operating practices, particularly as ageing estates and evolving market requirements placed greater pressure on operators.
"Many of our old farm fields are getting old. Replanting is necessary if we want to maintain good yields and keep our estates productive," she said.
Noraini was speaking at the 95th anniversary celebration of the Malaysian Estate Owners Association (MEOA) today.
