KAMPAR: The spike in oil palm fertiliser prices is a worldwide issue, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (pic).

       The Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said the ministry was holding several discussions on how to help oil palm smallholders.

       "The price hike in fertiliser doesn't just affect the oil palm industry but also the whole agriculture sector.

       "Oil palm smallholders play a big role in contributing (to the economy). Although the price hike in fertiliser isn't under my ministry, we are having several discussions on how to help them," he said during the "One student, 10 trees" campaign at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) here on Wednesday (March 30).

       It was reported that oil palm planters were facing an operational cost hike of between 10% and 15% including fertilisers, labour and fuel.

       Dr Wee added that the price hike doesn't come suddenly but due to several factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "The raw materials to make fertiliser are imported, hence the price hike.

       "With what is happening between Russia and Ukraine as well as China's policy to not export large amounts of raw materials, these events are among the factors that lead to the hike," he said, adding that there are nearly 500,000 oil palm smallholders in the country.

       "While the issue does concern the government, we also hope the cooperative (koperasi) will assist in the matter such as selling the fertiliser in bulk," he said.