The bug that helped Malaysia save $10 billion
Nizam Bakeri
February 23, 2016 09:14 MYT
February 23, 2016 09:14 MYT
African palm oil weevil or its scientific name Elaeidobius kamerunicus was introduced in 1981 for local palm oil pollination - PaDIL Australia pix
AT a glance, this is just any ordinary bug.
This African palm oil weevil or its scientific name Elaeidobius kamerunicus played a part in helping Malaysia to save a staggering $10 billion!
Speaking at the UN biodiversity meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said when the oil palm industry was still at its infancy, the government opted to import the four-legged bug from Cameroon to be part of the plantation labour in 1981.
The weevil played the role in pollinating trees, a chore previously done manually -- which was undoubtedly time-consuming and ineffective.
Introduction of the weevil to the process, led to a significant increase in palm oil production and ultimately saved costs. Between 1982 and 2015, the 'kerching' saved totalled at a whopping US$10 billion!
At the meeting, Najib also launched a revised version of Malaysia’s National Policy on Biological Diversity, which will guide national biodiversity management through 2025.