KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in the number of palms of 25 years and above has become the primary factor contributing to the decline in fresh fruit bunches (FFB) yield.
Plantations and Commodities Ministry said another significant factor influencing the downward trend in FFB yields, especially within estate categories, is the labour shortage issue in the plantations.
"The heavy reliance on labour has adversely affected plantation operations and FFB yields, with tasks such as harvesting, collection, and fertilisation not being fully executed.
"Other factors are cultivation on marginal and hilly land, poor soil quality, climate change, lack of fertilisation especially by smallholders, pest or disease attacks, as well as less efficient agricultural practices.
"In addition, lack of crop maintenance, road and drainage infrastructure can also cause low yields," the ministry said in a parliamentary reply to Bakri Jamaluddin (PN-Tangga Batu).
Bakri inquired about factors that cause the production of FFB to be low and remain static at 15 tonnes per hectare. The ministry said the price of crude palm oil is one of the important factors for plantation companies, palm plantation owners, including settlers in deciding whether to carry out palm replanting activities or otherwise.
"This is because they still earn income from FFB sales, despite the low level of production. "In addition, the lack of capital also led to delays in replanting activities."
To the question on action plans that will be taken to increase the production of FFB to 18 tonnes and above per hectare, the ministry said several measures are already and to be put in place. "These include adopting good agricultural practices, such as the use of appropriate fertilisers, maintaining soil moisture, replanting of old trees, the use of latest planting materials and integrated pest and disease management.
"Furthermore, the ministry is encouraging the plantation sector to increase mechanisation, especially for harvesting and collection activities. "The mechanisation includes the use of motorised palm cutters, which has proven to boost productivity by up to 40 per cent compared to conventional practices."
The ministry also encourages an integrated palm replanting programme, to ensure that old and unproductive palm trees are replanted with high-quality palm seedlings. "This step can increase the production of FFB and further increase the production of crude palm oil."
The ministry said in December last year, it was estimated that more than 500,000 hectares of old oil palm trees will need to be replanted. "For this purpose, RM100 million has been allocated for the implementation of an oil palm replanting programme for the smallholders.
"It is expected to increase the population of palm trees that have a fully mature age profile, between nine and 18 years, that are more productive for the long term, further helping to increase the country's FFB yield."