No regulation for oil palm industry: Exec

THE Oil Palm Industry Corporation (Opic) general secretary Kepson Pupita says the oil palm industry is growing with new investors without direct government oversight and licensing.
He said the current industry was dominated by the two milling companies, New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) and Hargy Oil Palm Limited.
“Currently, there is no government regulation or a licensing mechanism similar to all industries. Opic is only responsible for extension services.
“There is absence of any government agency to coordinate all government efforts in addressing issues affecting and resulting from the oil palm industry,” he said.
There were new developments of oil palm plantations in East and West Sepik, Morobe, Madang and East New Britain. He said all these developments were undertaken through a central nucleus (private or joint venture) estate with land purchased from the State, surrounded by small farmers on 99-year lease land under either the Land Settlement Scheme (LSS) or customary owners growing oil palm on their own land.