According to nutritionists , the percentage of calories coming from fat should be at most 10 per cent . On the other hand , it ’ s not good for you to drink too much .

Researcher Ahmad Ibrahim , an associate fellow with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy at UCSI University and the Ungku Aziz Centre at the University of Malaya , claimed that the demand for edible fats on a global scale has been increasing at a rate of about three per cent each year .

He attributed it to shifts in people ’ s diets and population expansion , according to a report in FMT .

In the past , those with lower incomes tended to eat less fat due to financial constraints . The price of fat tends to be higher . Things changed in the 1980s when palm oil became a part of the international commerce of edible fats .

“ Those with low income previously tend to eat less fat because they can ’ t afford it . Fat is generally more expensive ,” Ahmad stated .

“ When palm oil entered the global trade of edible fats around the 80s , things changed . These changes include more poor people being able to increase their fat intake .”

He added the remarkable success in producing palm oil ensures that it will always be sold at a lower price . There are a lot of hidden advantages to palm oil .

producers out of poverty .

The Federal Land Development Board ’ s ( Felda ) plan comes up frequently . Indeed , it is renowned as an effective programme for reducing poverty , and other nations are interested in giving it a shot . He mentioned that Indonesia is among the countries that reap the benefits of it .

He said palm oil had succeeded because of its high oil production . The actual potential is much higher than the present average of four tonnes of oil per hectare per year .

Ong believes more research and development can lead to higher palm oil yields . Experts see 17 or 19 tonnes in theory if palm kernel oil is added .

An increase in oil yield of up to 12 tonnes per hectare was achieved by one farm . However , this is uncommon .

“ This is because the amount of production depends a lot on planting materials , agronomic management of crops , harvesting techniques and the oil extraction process ,” he shared .

He said one of the main problems was that small farmers sometimes needed more material .

Many additional uses for palm oil still need to be discovered . Palm oil stands out from other competitors due to its adapt-

ability to product creation .

EXTENSIVE USE

This is because it differs from other vegetable oils in that it is semi-solid . Palm oil can benefit significantly from technological processes like fractionation .

Only palm oil can get rid of harmful trans fat products . It is increasingly employed in non-food industries , such as oleochemicals , and its extensive use in food items .

Many people think oleochemicals will replace petrochemicals as the world rushes towards a cleaner environment . It has already transpired .

The tremendous potential of other by-products , such as fruit bunches and biogas , has thus far been untapped by this predicament .

Smallholders ’ incomes will rise even

further once the oil palm biomass ’ s economic worth is recognised .

Ong added that everything that ’ s communicated must be grounded in scientific evidence . Mosta has decided to spearhead the initiative .

“ As someone loyal to palm oil , this is quite good ,” said Ong .

At 80 years , Ong is still fighting for palm oil ’ s greater visibility . Mosta and other NGOs are always touting the virtues of palm oil .

“ They are enthusiastic . If all likeminded NGOs can unite to lead this communication effort , there is no doubt about the positive implications for commodities .

“ Any support from the government can help improve this effort ,” he said before closing the conversation . – @ AGROBiz

UNEASY COMPETITORS

However , opponents , primarily from the competition , are uneasy about the market ’ s recent spike in demand for palm oil .

Malaysian Association of Oil Scientists and Technologists ( Mosta ) President Augustine Ong said palm oil was a “ gift ” from nature to humans . He argued that palm oil should be labelled because of its sound effect on the impoverished .

Malaysia ’ s palm oil industry has lifted many low-income , small-scale palm oil