The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) was established in 1972 to spearhead the development of the commodity industry with the goal of contributing to nation’s economic growth.

In the early stages of its establishment, MPI focused on the development of two major commodities, namely tin ore and rubber. The role of the MPI was later expanded to include the development of other commodities such as oil palm, cocoa, forestry and timber, minerals, pineapple and tobacco to further contribute to the national economy.

In 2004, MPI was restructured and was known as the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KPPK). The restructuring involved a change in the portfolio, in which the Black Pepper Marketing Board (JPLH) was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to KPPK while the responsibilities related to forestry, minerals and geoscience were transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Other key responsibilities of the Ministry remain unchanged.

In 2012, KPPK was renamed as the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and later in 2018 was known as the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). However, in 2020, the Ministry’s name wagrikomoditias reverted to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC). In December 2022, MPIC was renamed as the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.

The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is tasked to oversee the development of the agricommodity plantations and industries ranging from production, midstream processing and manufacturing to marketing. The sector has evolved from being a mere producer and exporter of raw materials to producing semi-processed, processed and finished products, contributing significantly to the generation of higher value-added products to meet the growing global demand. The agri-commodity subsector, which comprises of oil palm, rubber, timber, cocoa, pepper and kenaf, has been one of the main drivers of the national economy, contributing significantly to export earnings, creating jobs as well as providing income, particularly to the smallholders. There are six agencies under the Ministry which are aligned to the objective of the Ministry to spearhead the development of the commodity sector. These agencies include the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), the Malaysian Timber Industries Board, the Malaysia Cocoa Board (LKM), the Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB) and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (NKTB). In addition, the Ministry is assisted by five councils, whose main roles are focused on promoting agricommodity produce and products locally and internationally. These councils are namely, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the Malaysia Timber Certification Council (MTCC) and lastly, the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council.