PALM oil, known for its versatility, serves as a widely consumed vegetable oil worldwide, is an important ingredient in the food industry. It is mainly used as a cooking oil and also in various food applications, including margarines, spreads, confectionary fats, ice cream, pizza, doughnuts, chocolate, and emulsifiers.
The world's population is growing and the United Nations estimates it to reach 8.0 billion in 2022, 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.
Hundreds of million people do not have enough food to eat, with the vast majority of them living in developing countries.
Developing countries including Malaysia are facing the growing threat of increasing food insecurity. Malaysia scored moderately for hunger in the 2022 Global Hunger Index, recording 12.5 in 2022 from 10.9 in 2014, likely corresponding to a rise in food insecurity because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), food security is achieved when every individual, at any given moment, possesses the physical and economic means to acquire an ample supply of safe, nutritious food that aligns with their dietary requirements and preferences, enabling a healthy and active lifestyle.
There are four main dimensions of food security, namely availability, access, utilisation, and stability.
Palm oil has been playing a key role in addressing global food security. Palm oil is one of the edible oils recognised by the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a versatile ingredient used in a wide range of products including cooking oil, margarine, baked goods, snacks and processed foods. Its versatility contributes to the diversity of food options to consumers.
Among all vegetable oil crops, the productivity of oil palm is the highest. Oil palm has a long life span, between 25 and 30 years with production every month throughout the year. Therefore, the supply of palm oil is stable and has the largest share of production in world vegetable oil production.
There is a significant growth in population, especially in the least developed countries while the amount of arable land per person is shrinking with a projected decline of 0.38 hectares in 1970 to 0.15 hectares per person by 2050. On the other hand, the world's consumption of vegetable oils has more than doubled in the past two decades, from 87 million tonnes in 2000/2001 to 237.5 million tonnes in 2020.
Palm oil is the only vegetable oil that can feed the growing population. This is because it tops the list of oil crops for yield as it needs less than one-eighth as much land as soy to produce the same quantity of oil. Palm oil accounts for six percent of all cultivated land for oil crops globally but produces over one-third of the total output.
Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) conducts research and development activities to improve palm oil production, quality and sustainability. Its research findings lead to more efficient and sustainable practices, enhancing food security.
Researchers at the MPOB continue to work on developing new food products and animal feed formulations that incorporate palm oil. They play a crucial role in supporting the oil palm industry's contribution to the global food supply while addressing key issues related to quality, safety, nutrition and sustainability.
In the aspect of price, palm oil is cost effective and hence, more affordable compared to other vegetable oils. Palm oil is more affordable for the food industry and for the community with a lower income.
The production of palm oil is also sustainable and environmentally friendly. Malaysia, being the world's second largest producer of palm oil, has carried a global leadership role to ensure this.
Malaysia adopts the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Agenda 2030 and has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing these agenda as primary framework to drive higher sustainability commitment within the country's oil palm industry. This can be reflected in its national development blueprint, the 12th Malaysia Plan.
MPOB aligns its activities with the UNSDGs, emphasising sustainability, environmental responsibility and social well-being. These efforts contribute to global food security and the achievement of broader development goals. MPOB's sustainable forest management practices and conservation efforts help protect vital ecosystems, ensuring the sustainability of food production.
The country introduced the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme in 2015, a requirement for its oil palm industry. The MSPO Standards were revised in 2022 and contain five principles, based on the three pillars of sustainability, namely, economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sound.
The MSPO is a dynamic initiative to ensure the productivity of our palm oil continues to rise in the long run. The certification sees that plantation owners and smallholders do not compromise the sustainability of the environment.
Malaysia is committed to protecting its forests, flora and fauna through conservation and sustainable management. In 1992, the country pledged to preserve 50% of its landmass under forest and tree cover at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The country also participated in the Leaders' Declaration on Forest and Land Use and the Global Methane Pledge at the 26th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-26) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom in November 2021, reflecting its commitment to conserve and sustainably manage its forests and protect its flora and fauna.
Malaysia's efforts to protect its forests and biodiversity are integral to maintaining a stable and sustainable food supply. By safeguarding ecosystems, promoting sustainable land management, and mitigating climate change, Malaysia contributes to its own food security and plays a part in global efforts to ensure food security for all.
With its advantages in availability, affordability, and sustainability, palm oil plays a pivotal role in addressing food security for the world.
* The writer is the director-general of Malaysian Palm Oil Board.
