Prior to 1981, yield of oil palm fruit bunches in Malaysia was very low. Hand-assisted pollination (Pollen Girl) became necessary to increase the yield, but this was laborious and costly.
The introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus weevils, a pollinating insect from Cameroon, at Mamor Estate in Kluang on Feb 21, 1981 was a turning point for the Malaysian oil palm industry.