MPOGCF’s Hairulazim (left) and strategic communications manager Tuan Nazuri Tuan Ismail with the Sustainable Development Award trophy and certificate from JCI Malaysia.
THE Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) has been conferred the Sustainable Development Award (SDA) for advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land.
The goal is to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and stop biodiversity loss.
Initiated by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia, the award acknowledges MPOGCF’s flagship programme, the Barn Owl for Smallholders Initiative (BOSI), which encourages oil palm smallholders to adopt barn owls as a natural and sustainable solution for pest management.
BOSI not only reduces reliance on chemical pesticides but also enhances biodiversity conservation and safeguards ecosystems for future generations.
The award was presented by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in a ceremony that gathered 30 outstanding finalists nationwide in Kuching.
MPOGCF general manager Hairulazim Mahmud said this achievement served as a catalyst for projects that benefitted stakeholders in the palm oil industry, including smallholders, while at the same time enhancing the image of Malaysian palm oil sustainability.
He said the programme had been expanded through BOSI 2.0 to involve a larger number of smallholders.
“Deep appreciation to Dr Hasber Salim and his dedicated Barn Owl and Rodent Research (BORG) team for their outstanding effort on BOSI.
“Their commitment, innovation and hard work have greatly contributed to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation,” said Hairulazim.
The SDA recognises organisations, corporations and institutions that have made significant contributions towards the SDGs.
