@ AGROBiz | May-June. 2026

• MPOB has commercialised over 200 technologies across Malaysia ' s palm oil and agri-commodity sectors, covering automation, biotechnology, digital systems and downstream innovations.

• The board is strengthening research in AI, drones and IoT-driven field operations to improve plantation productivity, quality control and supply chain transparency.

• NAFEC 2026 focused on the role of automation, digitalisation and future-ready technologies in transforming Malaysia ' s agricultural and food engineering industries.

From drone-assisted crop monitoring to AI-powered field management systems, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board( MPOB) has commercialised over 200 technologies to modernise the country ' s palm oil and agricommodity sectors, improving productivity and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the MPOB National Agricultural and Food Engineering Convention( NAFEC) 2026 in Seremban recently, MPOB director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the board ' s technologies span multiple areas, including mechanisation, biotechnology, crop protection, digital farm management systems, and value-added palm oil products.

He noted that many of MPOB ' s innovations have already been adopted by industry players, and that the agency continues to encourage wider commercial adoption among companies and plantations.

Among the technologies highlighted was a system introduced about two years ago that uses drones and DNA analysis to assess fruit ripeness and monitor oil palm

SECTOR MODERNISATION: NAFEC 2026 served as a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in Malaysia ' s agricultural and food engineering sectors.

BEYOND TRADITIONAL PALM OIL: Automation and digitalisation are becoming increasingly important as the palm oil industry looks to improve productivity, sustainability and operational efficiency. tree conditions in the field.

" At MPOB, we have developed a lot of technology," Ahmad Parveez said, adding that the innovations were designed to help industry players improve efficiency and overall productivity.

The increasing use of technology comes as the agriculture sector faces mounting pressure to remain competitive while addressing labour shortages, sustainability requirements and rising operational costs.

FUTURE-READY PLANTATIONS

This year ' s NAFEC convention, which took place from 12th to 13th May, centred on the theme " Revolutionising Field Operations: Automation, Digitalisation, AI and Future Ready Technologies ", underscoring the sector ' s growing focus on precision agriculture and smart farming systems.

MPOB said its current research efforts are increasingly centred on technologies that support data-driven plantation management, particularly through the integration of Internet of Things( IoT), drones and artificial intelligence.

The technologies are aimed not only at increasing yields and operational efficiency, but also at improving consistency in production quality, optimising the use of agricultural inputs and enhancing supply chain transparency.

The move towards digital agriculture also aligns with broader national efforts to modernise the agro-food industry through innovation and research-driven development.

Under the National Agrofood Policy 2.0( NAP 2.0), the government has identified technological advancement as a key driver in strengthening food security, sustainability and the economic resilience of the agriculture sector.

NAFEC 2026 was organised as part of these ongoing efforts, bringing together academics, industry players, policymakers and agricultural engineering professionals to discuss challenges, emerging technologies and future industry needs.

The convention also aimed to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders while encouraging greater adoption of engineering and technological solutions across the agricultural value chain.

BEYOND TRADITIONAL PALM OIL USES

Apart from plantation technologies, MPOB is also exploring new downstream opportunities for palm oil through food innovation and industrial applications.

Ahmad Parveez revealed that MPOB introduced nine new technologies this year under its palm oil technology transfer programme, covering products for both the food and industrial sectors.

Among the innovations introduced was a vegan-friendly mayonnaise made from palm oil, developed without eggs or animalbased ingredients to cater to changing consumer preferences.

The board also introduced red palm oil-based food technologies, as well as oleochemical applications such as lubricating oil designed for data centres.

The expansion into specialised food and industrial products reflects the industry ' s wider efforts to diversify palm oil applications and create higher-value products beyond conventional commodity markets.

As digital tools and advanced technologies continue to gain traction, the sector ' s transition towards smarter, more sustainable agricultural practices is expected to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of Malaysia ' s palm oil industry.- @ AGROBiz