An officer explaining the oil palm production process to Beaufort Vocational College students.
KOTA KINABALU: Students and visitors can gain first-hand insight into how palm oil is produced through an educational tour programme now managed by SKG Green Sdn Bhd as part of its tourism offerings.
Dubbed Sustainable Palm Oil Educational Tour, it was first introduced in Sandakan in 2024 and has been expanded to support SKG Green’s growing eco-tourism and learning initiatives.
SKG Green Chief Executive Officer Philipa Wilfred Mojilis said the programme allows participants to visit selected Sawit Kinabalu estates, mills and nurseries, where they can learn about the full cycle of palm oil production, from seedlings and plantation management to the processing of fresh fruit bunches.
She said the company recently welcomed a group of 29 participants from Beaufort Vocational College for its first educational tour under SKG GReen, held at the Lumadan Palm Oil Mill and Estate on the west coast.
During the visit, students were guided step-by-step by Sawit Kinabalu officers, who explained how palm oil is processed, from the arrival of fresh fruit bunches at the mill to the production of crude palm oil.
Some students also had the opportunity to try lifting a fresh fruit bunch into a tractor, a task that proved to be more challenging than expected.
Though seemingly simple, the weight of the bunches gave students a better appreciation of the physical demands faced by plantation workers on a daily basis.
Philipa said the initiative is aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the industry, particularly among younger generations.
“The Sustainable Palm Oil Educational Tour allows students and visitors to experience first-hand how the palm oil industry functions, from nursery and estate operations to the milling process.
“It is also part of our effort to promote greater awareness of sustainable practices while providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences,” she said.
At the nursery level, participants are introduced to the selection and cultivation of oil palm seedlings, highlighting the importance of using quality planting materials across Sawit Kinabalu’s estates.
The educational tours are conducted at selected Sawit Kinabalu operations across both the east and west coast of Sabah, including sites in Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Beaufort.
The programme complements SKG Green’s existing eco-tourism offerings at the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) in Kinabatangan, providing visitors with a broader perspective of Sabah’s natural and agricultural landscapes.
In the inaugural educational tour under SKG Green’s management, a team led by Senior Executive for Sales and Marketing Deveneau Daniel Jambun was present to observe the programme and identify areas for further enhancement.
With growing interest from schools and institutions, SKG Green aims to position the Educational Tour Programme as a platform for learning, awareness and engagement with one of Malaysia’s key industries.
The tours are open to schools, universities and organised groups, with arrangements available through SKG Green Sdn Bhd.
