ABSTRACT
Southeast Asia is the leading region for palm oil production but commercial plantations are on the rise in Latin America and West Africa. The predominant part of oil palm cultivation takes place in Indonesia and Malaysia, where almost 90% of global palm oil is produced. In the countries where oil palms are grown, as well as in many other countries of the South, palm oil is a staple in the local diet. Palm oil agriculture in Southeast Asia began in 1917 during the decline of the rubber industry, but only experienced rapid expansion. The oil palm industry is very prominent in Malaysia where oil palm plantations can be found almost everywhere in the country. Agencies such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, and some local universities are among those responsible for the success of this industry.
