The association was registered with ROS 11 March 2015 and as of August 2024 has about 1620 members. The members are drawn from palm oil planters with MPOB licences of Dayak origin. However, it should be noted that participation in any events that had been organised by the association, other than the AGM had been open to all. The objectives and roles, functions and activities of the association are guided by its mission and vision below. To build up members to be successful and competitive entrepreneurs in the oil palm industry and to be the preferred association that represents its members in matters that impact on members’ rights and interests as planters and operators of other oil palm related businesses. DOPPA seeks to achieve its Vision through;

i) Empowerment, viz, training, facilitation and sharing of information with its members
ii) Effective representation, promotion and protection of members' rights and interests; and
iii) Recognising that it has a vital role to play in Malaysia's economic development, DOPPA endeavours to cultivate and maintain good relations and to work professionally with relevant government agencies and private bodies.

Though a young and small association, DOPPA has been an outspoken regarding issues affecting palm oil small holders and palm oil industries as a whole. The association have been actively engaging with State and Federal agencies and external stakeholders such as European Union on issues such as EUDR (EU deforestation regulation), sustainable palm oil and the continued rights to plant in Sarawak.

At the grassroot level, the association carry out activities impart knowledge to small holders on MSPO requirement and good agriculture practices in collaboration with government agencies and other NGOs such as Solidaridad.

However, the biggest challenges that members of the association are facing and small holders in general are the extreme difficulty in obtaining foreign labour permits and obtaining land titles for the planted NCR small holdings.