ABSTRACT:
Yield of oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) of smallholders is generally lower than that of the estates, mainly because of the poor management of their oil palm holdings. It is essential for the smallholders to have adequate knowledge of good management so as their yields and income will increase further. In this respect, they need to adopt good agricultural practices (GAP) which include planting techniques, use of balanced and adequate fertilisers, and the proper maintenance of the oil palms. Also, they need to use high quality oil palm seedlings from reputable nursery operators who comply with the Oil Palm Nursery Competency Certification (OPNCC) standard. To assist these smallholders, a scheme called the Quality Oil Palm Seedlings Assistance Scheme (SBABB) was implemented from 2006 to 2010, which benefited a total of 5697 smallholders, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Through a survey carried out, it was found that participants of the scheme (or the SBABB smallholders) had achieved a higher first year FFB yield compared to non-participants (or non-SBABB smallholders). The survey also found that these SBABB smallholders had successfully obtained a gross income of RM 7160/ha in the first year of harvest which was due to high FFB yield. Other smallholders should emulate these SBABB smallholders in achieving high FFB yield so that they will also enjoy a better standard of living from the high income generated through this business in the future.
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