SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES AMONG THE INDEPENDENT'S OIL PALM SMALLHOLDERS AT THE

SARATOK'S COOPERATIVE

Mohamad Arfan Johari

GE

M697 Master of Environmental Science 2013

(Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Management) 2013

300

Pusat Khidmat MakJumat Akademik UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAW4.K

Soil and Water Conservation Practices Among the Independent's Oil Palm Smallholders at the Saratok's Cooperative

P.KHIDMAT MAKLUMAT AKADEMIK

1I11I1I1I11i'ijiilllllllli1000246936

MOHAMADARFANJOHAID

Supervisor

Dr. Mohd Effendi Wasli

A Dissertation Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment to the Requirement for Master Degree in Environmental Science

Master in Environmental Science (Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Management)

2013

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARA WAK

...

I

Acknowledgement

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful Alhamdulillah, all

praises to Allah for the strengths and His blessing in completing this final semester project.

Special appreciation goes to my supervisor, Dr Mohd Effendi Wasli, for his supervision and

constant support. His invaluable help of constructive comments and suggestions throughout

the experimental and thesis works have contributed to the success of this research.

I also would like to express my appreciation to the Dean, Faculty of Resource Science and

Technology, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Hasnain Md Hussain and the Director General of

the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Datuk Dr Choo Yuen Mei and the former Director of the

Integration Research and Extension Division, Tn Hj Idris Omar to approved for the support

and help towards my postgraduate affairs and financing. Also thank you to the management

of Saratok's cooperative for the cooperation to allow me to do the study at their constituency.

I:

Last but not least, my deepest gratitude goes to my beloved wife and little son. Also not

forgetting, to all my parents highly thank you for support, love and caring. To those who

indirectly contributed in this research, your kindness means a lot to me. Thank you very

much.

Pusat Khidmat MakJumat Akademik UNIVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAK

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents 11

List of Abbreviations vi

List of Tables and Figures V11

Abstract

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 3

1.1 Introduction 3

1.2 Problem statement 5

1.3 Study objective 7

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 8

2.1 RSPO Principles and criteria number 4 (4.2, 4.3 and 4.4) 11

2.2 Practices maintain soil fertility at, or where

possible soil fertility to a level that ensures optimal and sustained yield 12

2.2.1 Zero burning practices during land clearing and preparation 12

2.2.2 Clean a palm circle and maintaining the soft grasses in between palm rows 12

2.2.3 Frond stacks at the sloping and flat areas 13

2.2.4 Use of balance fertilizer 13

2.2.5 Used of empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a mulching in between palm row 14

ii

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2.3

2.3 .1

2.3.2

2.3.3II

2.3.4

2.3.5

2.4

2.4.1

2.4.2

2.4.3

2.4.4

2.4.5

2.4.6

3.

3.1

3.2

4.

4.1.

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

I

Practices to minimize and control erosion and degradation of soils 15

Remained/unremoved the biomass/crop waste at the soil surface 15

Established legume cover crops after land clearing 15

Practiced crop integration with oil palm 16

Maintained the natural covers 16

Built s or planting platforms at the slop 4 -250 17

Practices maintain the quality and availability of surface and ground water 17

Not planted oil palm at the buffer zone or road 17

Using of agrochemical based on correct measure 18

Using the optimum amount of fertilizer 18

Fertilization is performing not in the raining season 20

Built the silt pits in the sloping area 20

Built the water gates to control water level 20

METHODOLOGY 21

Study area 21

Data collection 23

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 27

The ages of respondents 27

Gender 28

Respondent's participation 28

Education level 29

Oil palm ages 30

iii

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5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDA TION 75

REFERENCE 77

APPENDIX I Questionnare form 83

APPENDIX II Respondents name lists and farm coordinates 90

v

1

SWCP

GAP

SPOC

FFB

RSPO

MPOB

SPOGC

KPSMDS

MPIC

NGO

CoP

EFB

SQM

SEDC

WQM

List of Abbreviations

Soil and Water Conservation Practices

Good Agricultural Practices

Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster

Fresh Fruit Bunches

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Malaysian Palm Oil Board

Sustainable Palm Oil Growers Cooperative

Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan Daerah Saratok

Ministry of Plantation Industries and Comodities

Non Government Organization

Code of Practices

Empty Fruit Bunches

Soil Quality Maintaining

Soil Erosion and Degradation Control

Water Quality Maintained

vi

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List of Figures and Tables

Figures Page

Figure 1

Figure 2 :

Figure 3 :

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6.1:

Figure 6.2:

Figure 6.3 :

Figure 7.1:

Figure 7.2:

Figure 7.3:

The diagram shows the pesticide pathway and on how it can pollute

the soil and water

The map shows a study area where the data were collected.

The pictures of the practices maintain soil fertility at, or

where possible improve soH fertility

The pictures of the practices minimise and control erosion

and degradation of soils

The pictures of the practices maintain the quality and availability

of surface and ground water

The status of soil conservation knowledge among the

respondents for soil quality maintained in the oil palm farms

The status of soil conservation practices among the respondents

for soil quality maintained in the oil palm farms

The soil conservation implementation constraints face by the

respondents to maintain soil quality

The soil conservation knowledge among the respondents

to control soil erosion in the oil palm farms

The soil conservation practices among the respondents to

control soil erosion in the oil palm farms

The soil conservation implementation constraints face by the

respondents to control erosion in the oil palm farms

18

21

20

21

22

39

39

45

50

50

55

vii

Figure 8.1: The water conservation knowledge among the respondents 63

to maintain water quality in the oil palm farms

Figure 8.2: The water conservation practices among the respondents 63

to maintain water quality in the oil palm farms

Figure 8.3: The water conservation implementation constraints faced by 65

the respondents to maintain water quality in the oil palm farms

Figure 8.4: (i) The averages of the knowledgeable and unknowledgeable; 74

(ii) Practised and unpractised of respondents regarding the SWCP 74

Tables

Table 1 The good agricultural practices applied in oil palm estates based on 31

soil categories namely, mineral soil (flat area), mineral soil

(hilly area) and peat soil

Table 2 Respondent's profiles 34

Table 3 The number of respondents based on categories of 39

SQM (A, B, C and D)

Table 4 The number of respondents based on categories of 51

SEDC (A, B, C and D)

Table 5 The buffer zone width should be maintained. 57

Table 6 The number of respondents based on category of 64

WQM (A, B, C and D)

viii

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Soil and Water Conservation Practices Among the Independent's Oil Palm Smallholders at the Saratok's Cooperative.

Mohamad Arfan Johari

Master of Environmental Science Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Abstract

Knowledge on implementation of soil and water conservation practices (SWCP) are importance to be adopted by oil palm growers in order to maintain the quality of natural resources and also committed with the environmental conservation. As one of the criteria in the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Good Agricultural Practices (MPOB-GAP), it must be adopted in order to qualify the oil palm growers, especially smallholders to be certified with the quality certifications as well as to increase FFB yields and incomes. The Malaysian government through relevant agency has made an effort to group the independent oil palm smallholders through cooperative under the Sustainabletalm Oil Clusters (SPOC) to facilitate the extension activities and certification programs. This study was carried out in Saratok District under Betong Division involving the mem ers of Saratok's Sustainable Oil Palm Growers Cooperative (KPSMDS). The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and current adoption of SWCP in the smallholder farms. In this study, conservation practices implemented by oil palm smallholders were evaluated based on the checklist in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principle number four, criteria 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4. Research methods that have been used in this study are in-situ observation and face to face interview session with KP DSMS participants. The results of the study indicated that the implementations of soil and water conservation practices were still low implemented by the oil palm smallholders. The knowledge regarding the good agricultural practices is the main factor that influences the status of implementation of both soil and water conservation practices. Recommendations based on the research affirm that it is necessary to take into account the education program for the cooperative's members in order 10 ensure that their awareness of the practices is high and adoption of sWCP were implemented for the independent's smallholders benefit.

Keyword; RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), soil and water conservation practices (SWCP)

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Abstrak

Pengetahuan mengenai amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air adalah penting untuk diguna pakai oleh penanam sawit untuk mengekalkan kualiti sumber semula jadi dan juga komited dengan pemuliharaan alam sekitar. Sebagai salah satu daripada kriteria di dalam Amalan Baik Pertanian Baik oleh Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia (MPOB-GAP), ia hendaklah diterima pakai untuk melayakkan penanam untuk disahkan dengan pensijilan kualiti di samping meningkatkan hasil BTS dan pendapatan. Kerajaan Malaysia melalui agensi yang berkaitan telah berusaha untuk mengumpulkan pekebun kecil sawit persendirian melalui penubuhan koperasi di bawah Kelompok Minyak Sawit Lestari (SPOC) untuk memudahkan aktiviti­aktiviti pengembangan dan program pensijilan. Kajian ini telah dijalankan di Daerah Saratok yang terletak di Bahagian Betong yang melibatkan ahli-ahli Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan Daerah Saratok (KPSMDS). Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menilai pengetahuan dan pelaksanaan semasa amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air di ladang-Iadang pekebun kecil kelapa sawit. Kajian ini adalah satu kajian kes yang dijalankan mengenai amalan pemuliharaan yang dilaksanakan oleh pekebun kecil kelapa sawit berdasarkan senarai semak yang terdapat dalam Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Lestari (RSPO) di bawah prinsip nombor empat, kriteria 4.2, 4.3 dan 4.4. Kaedah penyelidikan adalah pemerhatian in-situ di kebun responden dan temubual secara bersemuka. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa pengetahuan dan pelaksanaan amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air oleh peke bun kecil persendirian (anggota koperasi) adalah masih rendah. Pengetahuan mengenai amalan-amalan pertanian yang baik adalah faktor utama yang mempengaruhi status pelaksanaan kedua-dua amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air. Cadangan berdasarkan penyelidikan mengesahkan bahawa perlu untuk mengambil kira mengenai program pendidikan untuk ahli-ahli koperasi dalam usaha untuk memastikan pengetahuan serta kesedaran mengenai pelaksanaan amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air dilakukan untuk member manfaat kepada pekebun sawit persendirian.

Kata kunci: Amalan pemuliharaan tanah dan air, rundingan meja bulat minyak sawit lestari.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Malaysian palm oil industry is currently making a visible effort to meet existing

and new challenges on sustainability. In line with the country's aspiration to become a

developed nation by year 2020, the palm oil industry is committed to sustainable

development by adopting the National Environment Policy for environment protection.

However, a certain guideline is needed to ensure that the outcomes meet the expectation of

buyers, consumers and stakeholders alike. All the stakeholders were urged to work together

to ensure the sustainability of oil palm industry. The independent's oil palm smallholders are

also included in the agendas as long as they were involved in this industry. Environmental

conservation in the palm oil industry is a wide and vast field and there is a perception by

introducing the ISO 14000 series of standard will help to realize the reduction of stress

created by population, economic utilization, natural resources use, energy requirement, and

emissions of all kinds and attain environmental sustainability. In Malaysia, the oil palm

smallholders mainly divided into two categories namely supported or scheme smallholders

and independent smallholders. Supported or "scheme" smallholders are structurally bound by

contract, credit agreement or planning, to a particular mill. They often have limited autonomy

to choose which crop they develop and are supervised in planting and crop management

techniques, organized, and managed by the mill, estate or scheme to which they are linked

(RSPO, 2009). Meanwhile, the independent smallholders is a self-organized, self-managed

and self-financed, and free to choose on how to use their lands, which crops to plant, and the

best way to manage their farms. They are not bound to any particular mill or any particular

association, although they may receive supports or extension services from government

agencies (RSPO, 2009).

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In order to group and organize the independent smallholders, the Malaysian

government through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has created the oil palm

smallholders cooperative namely Sustainable Palm Oil Growers Cooperative (SPOGC). The

main purpose of the establishment is to group the independent smallholders under the group

certification as well as to facilitate the education programs and extension activities. It will

also facilitate the assessors to audit and minimise the cost for the certification that have to be

paid by the smallholders. At the same time it will be facilitate the relevant agencies such as

MPOB to issue the assistances. At the moment, the totals of oil palm smallholder's

cooperatives in Malaysia are twenty two including four cooperatives in Sarawak. The first oil

palm smallholder's co-operation formed in Sarawak is "Koperasi Penanam Sawit Mampan

Daerah Saratok Berhad (KPSMDS)" with the current four hundred and sixty members.

Theoretically, the establishment of the smallholder's cooperative was under the Sustainable

Palm Oil Cluster (SPOC) which was introduced by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and

Commodities (MPIC) with the objective to increase the smallholders' productivity as well as

producing FFB in a sustainable manner. However, it needs to be proved through the

commitment of the members using the qualified standard certifications that is recognized by

international organisations.

Thus, as the efforts to comply with the international standards of sustainable palm oil

productions, the oil palm growers including the independent smallholders shall be certified

under the international non-government organization namely Roundtable on Sustainable

Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO was formed in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth

and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and engagement of

stakeholders. The seat of the association is in Zurich, Switzerland, while the secretariat is

currently based in Kuala Lumpur and a satellite office located in Jakarta. The RSPO is a non­

profit, market-led association representing stakeholders from seven sectors of the palm oil

4

Pusat J(JJidmat MakJumat Akademik UNIVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAK

industry - oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers,

retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation NOOs and social or

developmental NOOs to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil

(RSPO, 2009).

When discussing about meeting the requirements set according to all the principles

and criteria in the RSPO, it is probably quite difficult for the independent smallholders to

meet the standardised criteria due to lack of technical knowledge and capital constraint.

However, random farm visits and observations carried out by MPOB's extension officers at

certain smallholder plots found that certain smallholders have already implementing some of

good agricultural practices that are related to SWCP such as frond stacking technique and

maintenance of soft grasses. However, it is still too early to conclude that the smaHholders

had applied the required standards.

1.2 Problem Statement

The MPOB has recruited the extension officers to educate the smallholders but they

were new and still lacking much in terms of knowledge of good agricultural practices and

conservation practices. Technically, most of the good agricultural practices in oil palm

plantation are related to SWCP. However, if the smallholders did not receive a good

explanation about conservation process, they may not be aware with the practices. Thus, it is

important to do a pre-evaluation before the co-operations' members apply for RSPO

certification as well as to determine and evaluate the current knowledge and implementation

of soil and water conservation practices of the smallholders.

5

,...

In order to ensure the Saratok cooperative's members are qualified for the RSPO

certification, they shall comply with all of the principles and criteria's in the RSPO

certification system. Before applying for RSPO certification, they shall be certified under the

Malaysian Palm Oil Board - Good Agricultural Practices (MPOB-GAP) or the Malaysian

Palm Oil Board - Code of Practices (MPOB-CoP). Limitations of infonnation access and lack

of knowledge about the implementation of SWCP among the cooperative's members are the

main issue that need to be addressed and overcome.

The training programs were frequently focuses on the implementation of Good

Agricultural Practices (GAP). Technically, there are several good agricultural practices

related with SWCP especially with soil and water quality. Unfortunately, very limited

infonnation was available on the awareness or understanding of the practices. Some

feedbacks from smallholders showed that they are unable to perfonn several principles and

criteria in the RSPO certification system. According to these smallholders, they were not able

to fulfil these principles and conditions because they are difficult to implement. Therefore, it

is very crucial and important to investigate the real problems and factors of the smallholders

who were unable to implement SWCP although the practices are very important to be

practised. The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and recent adoption of soil

and water conservation practices by the Saratok's Sustainable Oil Palm Growers

Cooperative's Members.

6

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1.3 Objectives of the Study

For the purpose of this study, it will focus more on the knowledge and observation

ofsoil and water conservation practices in oil palm growers which were categorized as the oil

palm smallholders. The results of this study are useful and beneficial to the relevant agencies

to plan and strengthen the efforts to ensure that the oil palm smallholders are knowledgeable

and aware of the importance of implementing soil and water conservation practices as well as

to be committed to the global market demands for the sustainable palm oil products.

[.,

7

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Conservation is defined as the management of a resource in a way to assure it will

continue providing maximum benefit to human over the long run. This implied that

maintaining viable species populations, to sustain ecological processes and be responsive to

short term and long tenn environmental changes (Taffa, 2002). Soil conservation is a set of

management strategies to prevent soil from being eroded from the Earth's surface or become

chemically altered by overuse, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil

contamination. Whereas, Schwab et al. (1993) has defined that soil conservation technique is

an application of processes to the solution of soil management problems. The conservation of

soil implies utilisation without waste to produce high level of crop production continuously

while improving environmental quality. Soil conservation, in practice refers to the protection

ofall surface deposits, not only the near-surface, organic layers that are subject to present-day

weathering.

Water conservation encompasses of policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh

water as a sustainable resource to protect the water environment and to meet current and

future human demand. In the agricultural systems there are always strong link between

measure for the soil and water conservation practices. Reduction of surface run-off by

structures or by changes in land management will also help to reduce erosion. Similarly,

reducing erosion will usually involve preventing splash erosion, fonnation of crusts, and

breakdown of structure which will increase infiltration thus helping in water conservation

(FAO, 20l3). Technically, the soil and water conservation practices had to be handled wisely

and a full consideration should be given because these resources will be utilized and used for

long time. According to Scherr and Yadav (1997), land degradation by year 2020 may pose a

serious threat to food production and rural livelihoods, partiCUlarly in the poor and E:lensely

8

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populated areas of the developing world. The soil is very expensive to reclaim or to improve,

once it is eroded by water or wind, physically degraded or chemically depleted. Stoops and

Cheverry, (1992) has stated that jt was our common duty to safeguard it for future generation,

while obtaining the best benefit of it.

For the independent's oil palm smallholders in Malaysia, the usual parts of good

agricultural practices were not adopted is (SWCP). The lack of training and courses attended

SWCP are the main factors that hinder the certification of good agricultural practices (Wahid

el aI., 2012). Furthennore, a study done by Rahman et al. (2008) has demonstrated that

independent smallholders in Malaysia are less efficient than other producers, due to their

smaller plot size, poor agricultural and poor data management practices. There were

differences when compared with Thailand, which the conservation practices such as

maintenance of riparian buffer zones, erosion prevention measures, slope soil measures and

efficient use of fertilisers were adopted by independent smallholders in order to prevent the

environmental problem. Further surveys and general observations showed that basic erosion

protection and soil fertility measures are followed by smallholders in Thailand. They also

used limited amount of chemical for palm protection and fertilization (Dalinger, 2011). In

additional, a study by Majid Cooke et al. (2011), when comparison was made using several

different models of community involvement in the oil palm industry in Sabah and Sarawak, it

has been found that an independent smallholders perfonn better in tenns of more effective

and inclusive participation in the oil palm industry and financial performance, compared to

the government-led joint-ventures and schemes.

Some studies indicate various factors that influence on-fann adoption of soil

conservation practices, including socio-demographic characteristics of farm operators and

physical features of the farm. Physical and environmental characteristics such as farm size,

9

slope length, degree of slope, and soil erodibility also affect the adoption of conservation

practices (Barbier, 1990). Some studies (Burton, Rigby, and Young, 1999) indicate that a

farmer's age influences adoption, and others education. Economic and financial factors, such

as farm and off-farm income and risk aversion, are found to influence adoption decisions

(Featherstone and Goodwin, 1993). Farm income positively influences adoption of

technologies while off-farm jobs inhibit this decision. Institutional factors such as land

ownership, membership in farmers ' organizations and technical assistance have been found in

some studies to influence on-farm adoption of conservation practices (Francis, 1986).

Insecurity of tenure reduces farmers' incentives to invest in land conserving practices (Lee

and Stewart 1983), while membership in local groups has a positive and significant effect on

the adoption of such conservation technologies (Burton et al., 1999). Finally, perceptions of

erosion problem were found to be positively associated with the adoption of conservation

practices (Santos, Thurow, and Thurow 2000).

Although smallholder certification can bring a range of benefits for smallholders in

terms of market access and premium prices, it is undeniably act as an additional set of

challenges for independent smallholders to comply with the certification requirement. To

achieve the certification standards, the independent oil palm smallholders require skills in

management, administration, quality control, marketing and service delivery that are

sometimes difficult for them to develop it without support from the relevant parties.

(Molenaar et al., 2011). Furthermore, the high costs associated with RSPO membership,

training and certification assessments are beyond the means of most small producers, and

may prevent their participation in RSPO.

In recognition of these challenges the RSPO established a Smallholder Task Force in

2005 to work towards the inclusion of small producers in the RSPO. Smallholders wishing to

10

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.L .!. RSPO certification were not obliged to comply with the same level of requirements as

I PJlantatl()fi companies. However, smallholder participation in RSPO remains limited and a

nwnber of issues are yet to be addressed. These include aspects of the certification system

.'itself. such as the standards, supply chain systems and incentives, as well as other issues

'1' -<:>- t' _<:> access to finance, farmer organizations and technical assistance (RSPO, 2007). For

the purpose of this study, RSPO principles and criteria number 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 (as below)

were used as the smallholder's farm observation guidelines.

2.1 The RSPO Principles and criteria number 4 (4.2, 4.3 and 4.4).

Through the RSPO principles no 4 (4.2, 4.3 and 4.4) the SWCP that shall be commit with in

order to conserve the quality of soil and water namely:

Criterion 4.2 Practices maintain soil fertility at, or where possible Improve soil

fertility to, a level that ensures optimal and sustained yield.

Criterion 4.3 Practices minimise and control erosion and degradation of soils.

Criterion 4.4 Practices maintain the quality and availability of surface and ground

water (RSPO, 2007).

11

Practices maintain soil fertility at, or where possible soil fertility to a level that ensures

. VII.IU1Ual and sustained yield.

Zero burning practices during land clearing and preparation.

The zero burning technique during land preparation for oil palm cultivation involves

felling of all trees and shredding the trunk tissues into 5-10 cm thick pieces to accelerate

the decomposition of plant tissues. This method offers a number of advantages, including the

.,a,bsence of aiT pollution and a better recycling of organic matter and nutrients, but does not

solve the risk for pests and diseases (Verheye, 2010). Through zero burning technique, the

biomass may still be piled up in between planting rows and left to rot. Biomass has

substantial nutrient content and in decomposing, the biomass provides humus, which helps to

improve the soil. The nutrient in biomass can be recycled as fertilizer input to the growing

crop, reducing the need for chemical fertilizer application. It is also considered

environmental friendly and likely to contribute positively to a sustainable agricultural

development. The technique preserves the environment because it does not pollute the

atmosphere and therefore does not endanger the environment for future generations (Mohd,

2003).

2.2.2 Clean a palm circle and maintaining the soft grasses in between palm row

Weed control is a botanical component of pest control, using physical and chemical

methods to stop weeds from reaching a mature stage of growth. In the oil plantations, weed

control were carried out to minimize the competition of nutrient uptake between oil palms

and weeds. However, in line with environmental conservation practices, the soil surface is

discouraged to be espoused especially the areas where the run off occurrences is high.

Therefore, oil palm growers are encouraged to maintain the soft grasses such as (Exonopus

compressus) in order to minimize soil erosion as well as to maintain the organic layer through

12

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.It.bl·lomasses decomposition and at the same time maintain soil humidity (Maizatul and Idris,

l ilUU~).

2.2.3 Frond stacking on the slopes and flat areas

In order to reduce soil erosion on sloping lands, empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm

1:4M...A.. Ecomat and silt pit constructed has been used by major oil palm plantations. Oil

palms fronds usually stacked across the slope and alternate palm rows (flat areas) as

mulching material to reduce soil erosion and surface run off, have a significant effect on soil

pH and nutrients. Pruned fronds release Ca and Mg to the soil where Ca and Mg are essential

nutrients for oil palm growth (Khalid and Tarmizi, 1999). Mohd Hashim and Yeoh (1985)

reported in order to ascertain that soil organic matter is continuously added and sustained in

the field, it is important that the pruned fronds were returned to the soil.

2.2.4 Use of balance fertilizer

A study by (Tarmizi and Tayeb, 2006) has concluded that the balanced fertilization with

N, P and K according to nutrient removal, leaf analysis and soil tests are necessary for

sustained and profitable palm oil production. In other word, the fertilizer used for oil palm

must contain Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) as a major nutrient. Site

specific nutrient management plans incorporating nutrient balances were proposed to help

identify situations where surplus fertilizer applications may result in high production cost or

undue losses to the environment. Furthennore, the nutrient uptake by the palm will be higher

if nutrient losses have been minimized through better soil conservation measures (Kee and

Chew, 1996) and improved soil fertility through organic matter amendment and nutrient

recycling (Chan el ai., 1993; Khalid, 1997).

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5 Used of empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a mulching in between palm row

According to Khalid and Tannizi (2008), using an EFB as a mulching material in oil

.

.......... plantation would improve water holding capacity as well as reduces leaching and soil

Application of EFB as a mulching material were commonly practised in oil palm estates

found to be the best practice on sloping lands due to its high organic matter and humic

11bstanoes content that retain soil particles by improving aggregate stability and aggregation.

et ai., 2012).

For the rate of EFB application, the following rates can be used as a guide: (a) Circle

of newly planted and immature palms (15 to 25 t/halyr): (b) Mature palms on

eoasl:& soils (25 to 40 tfhalyr), and (c) Mature palm on inland soils (35 to 70 t/halyr) (Ravi et

. ..,&I,u.."....16

.

14

Practices minimise and control erosion and degradation of soils.

I Remain the biomass/crop waste at the soil surface

Oil palm biomass can be generated from two sources namely plantation and mills.

_'.., .......v ....

,u.u'u....~~ from the oil palm plantation is mainly trunk and fronds. Nonnally, oil palm frond

cut during harvesting or regular pruning activities. The trunks of oil palm were mostly

during replanting activity and mainly left on the ground for recycling as fertilizer.

(Roslan et al. , 2011). In the traditional agronomic practice, the oil palm pruned fronds were

organically recycled by stacking one on top of the other on the fronds avenue as mulches and

left to decompose naturally. According to Hishamuddin et al. (1987) and Huan (1989), the oil

palm fronds pruned from mature palms at the rate of 24 fronds in the year one can contribute

approximately 10.0 ton dry matter or biomass per hectare per year which can be reused. It can

contribute to increase an organic matter fonnation as well as to improve soil quality. (Khalid

and Tannizi 2008).

2.3.2 Established legume cover crops once the land clearing were done

The use of cover crops is a sustainable management practice used to enhance

soil fertility, improves soil and water quality, manage weed, pest and pathogen populations,

and preserve biodiversity in agro-ecosystems (Lu et al., 2000). In Malaysia, establishment of

legume cover crops after land clearing is a nonnal practice. Increase of nutrient cycling by

using legume cover crops may also improve efficiency of fertilization as shown in

comparison to grass cover for an oil palm plantation in Malaysia. Through the pennanent soil

cover, erosion risk and soil nutrient and organic matter losses can be minimized as well as

soil structure can be improved (Lal et al., 1991). Pennanent soil cover is commonly achieved

by leaving crop resjdues on the ground as mulch after harvest or using cover crops or green

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