smallholders – OPIEJ

DIGITAL MONITORING AND REPORTING SYSTEM OF OIL PALM FRESH FRUIT BUNCH (FFB) TRANSACTIONS: A CASE STUDY AMONG SUSTAINABLE OIL PALM GROWER COOPERATIVE IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

mpob_admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:43:40 +0000

Currently, there is a gap in Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) traceability among smallholders until it reached the oil palm mill via dealers. ICT-based intervention at the FFB dealers to record their daily transactions is able to address these issues. The need for this system arises due to the current limitation on getting more accurate and systematic data on the FFB transactions among smallholders. This article presents the development of an information technology (IT) system known as Kebolehjejakan Informasi Pekebun Kecil Sawit (KIPS) phase 2 to address the current gap in collecting data on FFB transactions among smallholders by linking dealer fruit (DF) via technology. Other than that, a case study and survey methodology among 14 Sustainable Oil Palm Grower Cooperative (KPSM) in Peninsular Malaysia was carried out to assess the adoption, challenges and effectiveness of the system as well as the understanding of their current record-keeping practices. KIPS portal system was developed with three user modules of admin, dealer fruit and smallholder. KPSM found KIPS is generally easy to use. However, the limiting factors were the time, performance and productivity in using KIPS which might hinder their attitude and behavioural intention to use KIPS. Lack of time and resources emerges as the main problem in using the KIPS system. Overall, most of the KPSM were able to submit their report through KIPS within the stipulated period. The findings of this study can serve as a basic framework for the development of a traceability system for various related industries.

Factors Affecting Fresh Fruit Bunch Yields of Independent Smallholders in Sabah

mpob_admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:25:51 +0000

Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm oil after Indonesia. In 2020, the oil palm planted area was at 5.87 million hectares from 5.90 million hectares in the previous year. The yield of oil palm at its productive age ranges from 22 to 24 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hectare per year, with the potential of reaching up to 30 tonnes per hectare per year. This study was carried out because of the decline in FFB yield in Sabah in 2013 by around 16% to 15.49 tonnes per hectare as compared with the previous year. There were three objectives to this study, which were (i) to determine the agricultural practices that influence FFB yield among independent smallholders in Sabah; (ii) to determine the constraints faced by these independent smallholders and their effects on FFB yield; and (iii) to determine relationship between the various factors and FFB yield. Face-to-face interviews with 182 smallholders using structured questionnaires were adopted for this study. Analyses of the data from the study, which included descriptive analysis, crosstabulation analysis and correlation analysis, were conducted to provide answers to the set objectives. The results show that there were six factors that had significant effects on FFB yield of the independent smallholders. These factors included the level of education, monthly household income, farm management status, weeding, pests and nutrient deficiencies and agricultural input costs. The findings of this study are important as they can be used as guidelines by the relevant parties, such as MPOB or the government, to implement strategies to improve FFB yield of independent smallholders through the adoption of effective knowledge, the right attitude and skills, as well as social capital.

Chemical Weed Control in the Oil Palm Sector with Particular Reference to Smallholders and Nursery Operators

mpob_admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 06:31:41 +0000

This article attempts to assess the impact to the oil palm smallholders and the nursery operators when there is a change from using paraquat to other kinds of weed killers in the oil palm and nursery areas. Surveys via face-to-face interviews with independent smallholders and 56 nursery operators were conducted. The study found that the impact of paraquat was insignificant among the smallholders, with only 0.65%, 1.30% and 0.32% having problems related to skin, nose bleeds and nails, respectively. The cost comparison of spraying herbicides in the smallholders’ areas revealed that RM 221/ha/yr was incurred when using paraquat while RM 365/ha/yr was spent with the use of Round-up. At the nursery, annual spraying using paraquat and Basta incurred costs of RM 492.74/ha and RM 763.44/ha, respectively. The study revealed significantly that both the smallholders and the nursery operators were knowledgeable about the danger and handling of herbicides. Paraquat was the most preferred herbicide because it neither reduced the productivity of the oil palms nor affected the growth of the oil palm seedlings. It was also claimed that the use of paraquat helped to improve the texture of the soil. This indirectly led to efficient uptake of fertilizers and hence increased productivity of the oil palms.