The Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA) of Sri Lanka convened its 5th Annual General Meeting, with Dr. Rohan Fernando reappointed as its President.
The event, attended by prominent dignitaries including Malaysia’s High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam and Indonesia’s Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing, emphasized the pressing challenges faced by the industry and explored potential strategies for progress.
Dr. Fernando underscored the negative impact of Sri Lanka’s ban on oil palm cultivation, labeling it a policy without scientific basis.
He argued that the ban has led to job losses, higher edible oil import costs, and the underutilization of arable land in the wet zone, which could otherwise support economic growth.
Citing success stories from Malaysia and Indonesia—where oil palm has driven poverty alleviation, foreign exchange savings, and food security—he urged the government to rethink its stance on oil palm cultivation.
Globally, oil palm accounts for over 40% of the world’s vegetable oil supply, making it the most efficient oil crop with productivity nearly four times higher than coconut oil. India, one of the largest consumers of palm oil, recently committed to expanding its oil palm cultivation by 3 million hectares to reduce its dependency on imports.
Dr. Fernando suggested that Sri Lanka could adopt a similar approach to meet its edible oil demand sustainably and strengthen its economy.
In 2014, the Sri Lankan government approved the cultivation of 20,000 hectares of oil palm, which could have supplied half the country’s edible oil needs by 2025.
However, this potential remains unrealized due to the ban, forcing increased reliance on costly imports and straining coconut oil production.
Dr. Fernando asserted that oil palm and coconut could coexist harmoniously, creating a balanced solution for domestic consumption and export opportunities.
The POIA has actively countered misinformation about oil palm cultivation, presenting scientific evidence of its benefits, including alleviating rural poverty and enhancing stakeholder incomes.
Dr. Fernando expressed optimism that Sri Lanka’s new administration, with its emphasis on food security and poverty reduction, will adopt a more pragmatic approach to oil palm cultivation.
As demonstrated by Indonesia and Malaysia, oil palm has transformative potential. Dr. Fernando believes that lifting the ban, coupled with rational policy reforms, and could position oil palm as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
Under his leadership, the POIA remains committed to advocating for this vision, confident that the crop can play a pivotal role in addressing the nation’s economic challenges and securing a sustainable future.
