Project Highlights
Funders
Ferrero
Partners
Oregon State University, SRUM Agroecología, UPM Universiti Putra Malaysia, Wild Asia
Implementation dates
March 2020
-
February 2021
Commodities
Palm oil
Beneficiaries
Oil palm producers (including smallholders) and workers
About the project
This pilot advanced farm-level IPM and biodiversity conservation in Malaysian palm oil. The team added a Malaysia-specific pesticide module to the Pesticides & Alternatives app, surveyed biodiversity-friendly practices, and ran a field census of insects and host plants—capturing both pests and beneficial species. Expert review of the results clarified local plant–insect networks and led to practical guidance: effective IPM practices, low-risk pesticide substitutions, and habitat designs (multi-functional vegetation zones) to boost natural enemies. Together, the findings informed a producer support strategy to shrink the pesticide footprint in Malaysia’s palm sector. The work was supported by Ferrero, which has sourced 100% RSPO Certified, Segregated sustainable palm oil since 2015 and operates under its Palm Oil Charter.
Outcomes
SAN delivered a Malaysia-tailored IPM and biodiversity package for palm oil producers—combining a localized Pesticide & Alternatives app, a field assessment of agronomic/IPM practices and pesticide use, and a census of pest and beneficial insects with their host plants. The pilot documented current IPM and biodiversity-friendly practices, mapped beneficial insect diversity, and produced a first design for multi-functional vegetation zones (“insect food courts”). It also categorized pesticide hazards and risks, recommended lower-risk alternatives for key pests and diseases, and flagged practice gaps with practical steps to close them—advancing biological control and reducing pesticide footprints across farms.