SOUTHEAST Asia is renowned for the plantations that sprawl across millions of acres of its territories, some of the most common including acacia, eucalyptus, and teak. These abundant crops are hailed for their fast wood production, whose yields are useful in the production of a myriad of products.
The raw materials provided by these crops are not only beneficial on a material level and economic level, but also on a human level – given that there are large sections of population that are heavily dependent on them for livelihood, and equally for the survival of their indigenous communities.
At its core, plantation farming is used solely for commercial purposes – a labour and capital-intensive investment into the specialised growth of one major crop with export as the end goal.
For millennia, the act of plantation farming has bolstered economic development and fostered the growth and preservation of the livelihood of local communities, hence earning its classification under commercial farming. Of course, over the course of time, private corporations have become prominent players in the industry in search of these very profits.
However, the downfall of most plantation owners has been the blind implementation of shoddy land preparation and poorly researched harvest cycles. The lack of systematic tracking systems for soil, climate, and crop changes, combined with non-existent data for comparative study have led to the degradation of both crops and soil.
Arguably one of the most important steps in plantation farming is site reconnaissance – essentially the detailed study of site conditions right from availability of water sources, topography, vegetation, and present as well as past biotic factors which may impact the growth of the crop.
Equally important is establishing the presence of local labour and the average number that could consist a work force, as well as the distances between the farmland and local distribution centres. Acknowledging and preparing for the same is extremely important, given the need for high productivity, high yields, and a high-quality end-product suitable for export.
A number of factors come into play when attempting to establish the delicate balance of inputs required for a satisfactory output, for instance the selection and preparation of the plantation site, the choice of the species to be planted, as well as the consideration of the time of plantation. Neglecting any one of these can jeopardize the entire operation.
Unfortunately, the effects of plantation mismanagement have only been exacerbated by the lack of preparedness of the abovementioned factors, as well as for climate changes, and the wrath of disease, pests and the migratory movements of animals that can devastate farmlands in their entirety.
After many a crippling loss, South-East Asian governments began to realise the importance of efficient plantation management in maintaining crop and soil integrity along with its longevity, all while considering the inherent differences in the requirements of each plantation site, the crop species itself as well as its growth rate and yield which are a result of genetic differences.
Policy changes in the area have moved away from industrial forestry, toward more government driven social practices, which allow for more control over resources all while ensuring high production rates.
Modern plantation management systems rely heavily on data collection and extrapolation with scientific backing, hence ensuring safe and sustainable crop rotation. With sustainability now at its core, plantation management attempts to generate sufficient economic returns while holistically preserving landscapes and preventing their degradation.
Effective plantation management systems not only optimise nursery practices and site preparation, but also limit deforestation, erosion and help track and understand the changes occurring in soil health, crop breeds, and climatic conditions.
For Malaysia, a country in which the agricultural industry contributes toward roughly 17 per cent of the GDP, plantation farming and the management of the land is especially important.
The planting of cash crops such as rubber, palm oil, and cocoa came with British colonisation, but having recognised its profitability, the practice was continued. Of course, being one of the world's largest exporters of these crops places an incredibly high demand on productivity.
With the reduction of the labour force engaged in farming activities, the government has attempted to render the practice a self-sufficient and sustainable one, hence having to depend on modernised methods of farmland management as well as crop diversification.
The adoption of plantation management systems using technologically integrated software solutions deems profitable and highly productive for every type of plantation. With an increased focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision & climate-smart advisory, various AgriTech organisations look forth to playing a key role in the holistically digitised space.
The need for organisation within the sector is felt to a large extent, and several plantation owners are navigating through technological means to ensure safe, profitable, predictable and most of all, sustainable practices.
The writer is Co-Founder & CEO, FarmERP