Ministry hopes for more R&D allocation in Budget 2016

The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry hopes the government would give more allocation for research and development (R&D) in the 2016 Budget.

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said innovation was crucial to boost productivity and for value-addition.

"Innovations invariably require new technologies from R&D to support the development of the local commodities sector.

"In this regard, we are fortunate that for the oil palm industry, it is institutionalised by law and carried out by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)," he told reporters after officiating the International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition (PIPOC) 2015 here Tuesday.

He said MPOB had carried out research in various aspects of the industry and launched over 560 technologies and production of value-added products.