KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV), a leading food and agri-product company, has taken a significant stride in its commitment to sustainability by pioneering the adoption of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification label on its SAJI cooking oil products. This collaboration highlights FGV’s commitment to sustainable palm oil production while opening new market opportunities, particularly among consumers who prioritise sustainable and ethically produced products.
 
The MSPO certification is a national scheme for palm products in Malaysia that ensures compliance with rigorous sustainability principles set by the government and aligned with international standards. These standards cover environmental protection, human rights, good governance, and wildlife conservation. This certification mandates that oil palm plantations, smallholders, and palm oil mills adhere to specific sustainability standards relevant to their applicant category.
 
FGV has implemented robust measures to meet MSPO standards, including sustainable land management practices, community engagement programmes, and wildlife protection initiatives. Since 2015, FGV has been committed to the Sun Bear Conservation Programme, which has since expanded to include elephants, pangolins, and gibbons. To date, FGV has rescued 94 sun bears, with 72 successfully rehabilitated and released, and has rewilded 20 gibbons. The pangolin conservation programme, focusing on captive breeding, has resulted in 18 successful births of baby pangolins.
 
In August 2024, FGV announced its support for the tiger conservation initiative at the 2nd Tiger Summit in Pahang. The initiative includes critical measures such as tiger breeding and rewilding aimed at preserving and restoring the tiger population in Malaysia.
 
To date, all of FGV’s oil palm plantations, mills, and downstream facilities are 100% MSPO-certified. Traceability is a vital element in fulfilling FGV’s commitment to sustainable palm oil production. FGV has developed the FGV Traceability of Product (FGV TOP) system to provide details about FGV’s palm oil supply chain. The system enables FGV to monitor the provenance of supplied raw materials, ensuring that every link in the supply chain adheres to sustainability standards and ethical business conduct. FGV’s traceability to mills (TTM) has been at 100% since 2019 for all its midstream and downstream facilities. As of 2023, FGV’s traceability to plantations (TTP) is at 100% for tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers.
 
FGV’s sustainability efforts extend beyond certification and include comprehensive support for smallholders and FELDA settlers. Through consultation and capacity-building programmes, FGV empowers local communities, improves livelihoods, and ensures the long-term viability of palm oil production.
 
In January this year, FGV and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC), marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between the corporate and government sectors to improve the livelihoods of the people. This partnership aims to empower smallholders by providing technical support, guidance on best agricultural practices, and assistance in meeting sustainability standards such as MSPO.
 
As part of this collaboration, FGV will launch the ‘Kebun Angkat’ initiative, which aims to provide smallholders with tailored technical support and advice on good agricultural practices. Through this initiative, a number of independent smallholders will receive guidance on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including the use of high-quality planting materials, soil health assessments for optimal fertiliser application, and more.
 
These efforts seek to increase both the productivity and quality of fresh fruit bunch yields, enabling better livelihoods and access to premium markets for smallholders. While the initiative underscores the partnership’s commitment to supporting smallholders, its broader impact lies in the opportunities it creates for smallholders to boost productivity, improving their living standards and livelihoods.
 
Between 2022 and 2024, FGV conducted 22 sessions of the Independent Smallholders (ISH) programme, engaging over 1,000 independent smallholders and dealers across Malaysia. These sessions covered topics such as FGV’s sustainability commitments, the MSPO certification scheme, traceability, the 11 International Labour Organization (ILO) Indicators of Forced Labour, and FGV’s sourcing criteria for fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The ISH programme will continue in 2025, reaffirming FGV’s dedication to supporting smallholders and promoting sustainable practices within the industry.
 
With a firm commitment to sustainability certifications such as MSPO, FGV is planning to implement a range of future sustainability initiatives. These initiatives aim to further enhance environmental stewardship, climate action, social responsibility, and economic viability, holding the promise of a more sustainable future for the industry.
 
By integrating rigorous sustainability standards with community empowerment, FGV continues to drive positive change within the industry and contribute to Malaysia’s global reputation as a responsible and ethical palm oil producer.
 
FGV is also a committed member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). To date, 30 of FGV’s mills and its supply bases are RSPO-certified. To learn more about FGV, watch its new corporate video available on its social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube — as well as on its website: www.fgvholdings.com.
 
SOURCE: FGV
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Noor Syuhada Naziri
Email: syuhada.n@fgvholdings.com  
 
Name: Sallehin Mokhtar
Email: sallehin.m@fgvholdings.com    

--BERNAMA