Environment

AGRICULTURE SECTOR: A NEED TO HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATIONS STANDARDS

Friday, 11 June 2021
By Iman Husna

SHAH ALAM – Agriculture without a doubt, has long been regarded as a significant sector in the country due to its contribution to the economy and export earnings. As a major food supplier, it also acts as a source of raw materials for resource-based industries.

When COVID-19 hits, agriculture is severely harmed, with two billion hectares of land degraded, affecting over 3.2 billion people and worsening climate change. Based on Statista, global warming tops the chart for the most concerning issue with 45% of Malaysian citizens agreeing to it.

No proper waste management system leads to littering and inadequate garbage disposal. This causes global warming to happen. Plastics and bottles on the sidewalks, as well as the average orange peels, and all people do is turn away. Also, deforestation and deterioration of land, water and air are constant occurrences.

A truck harvesting.
(Source: Unsplash / Thomas Hertogh)

Sustainable development priorities include a resource of conservation in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Waste of resources is incompatible with the goals of sustainable development. Other SDGs, such as the goals for clean water and sanitation for all, conserving life on property, and preserving life below water, are all about responsible consumption and development.

Sectors have chosen Land Management Indicators which are the best practice in agricultural activities. These indicators are used to making decisions on how to handle land and water resources to preserve the environment.

Palm Oil Tree.
(Source: Unsplash / Mathilde Ro)

Malaysia's Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has remained the country's economic engine. They produced RM72.8 billion in revenue last year from the export of palm oil to the international market. It is Malaysia's biggest asset and is one of the world's leading exporters of palm oil and rubber, so the plantation sector is critical to the country's economic development.

More agriculture means more environmental effects. Manufacturers sometimes do not properly divide garbage into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories, or simply recyclable and non-recyclable. Proper guidelines are needed to curb this issue.

SIRIM Berhad, a sustainable expert agency is accountable for providing certification for the agricultural aspect — especially palm oil sectors — in ensuring that each agricultural sector complies with the environmental preservation standards. Berita DIMENSi have contacted two consultants from SIRIM Berhad via WhatsApp to gain more insights on their role.

Anijah Pangat, Senior Consultant at SIRIM Berhad said that they provide advice and training to help smallholders, plantations, and palm oil mills comply with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO)'s stringent data collection requirements.

“Services we offer include understanding the requirements, system development, implementation and system maintenance.

“As a result, inability or reluctance to engage in responsible consumption and development would have an effect on the other SDGs, resulting in environmental degradation and it is something that we want to avoid,” she shared.

Saadiah Enok, Principal Consultant at SIRIM Berhad also said that MSPO certification is necessary to ensure that the palm oil products manufactured in Malaysia are both sustainable and appropriate in the global market.

“MSPO certification is required to ensure that Malaysian palm oil products are both safe and marketable while protecting the environment.

“Certification to MSPO is provided by qualified certification bodies. Without those certifications, they would not be able to market any product,” she said when contacted via WhatsApp.

The government is actively working to ensure that the agriculture sector in Malaysia complies with all rules and regulations that do not affect the government. Malaysia will move closer to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2030 by obtaining MSPO certification for palm oil production that leads to a better environment.

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