KUCHING: Sarawak has a large acreage of oil palm plantations which is expected to contribute significantly to the state’s socio-economic progress in the future, said Datuk Willie Mongin.
The Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities revealed that Sarawak had 1.59 million hectares of oil palm plantations or 27.3 percent of the overall 5.87million hectares in Malaysia.
“The state’s crude palm oil production amounts to 4.05 million and is the second highest in the country. Meanwhile, the oil extraction rate is at 19.62 percent and the rate is lowest if compared to Peninsular and Sabah.
“I believe this is contributed by factors such as research and development (R&D) provisions for pest control and on palm diseases, peat soil management and pollination which affect the yield of production and low extraction rate in Sarawak,” he said.
Willie pointed out that the plantation sector and smallholders still relied on the use of labour force and the use of machinery was not extensive.
“The plantation sector and smallholders still depend on the use of labour, particularly foreign workers, for the harvesting of palm fruits.
“The use of farm machinery has not been extensive, especially for the harvesting of palm fruits,” he said.
Willie pointed out that farm mechanisation was essential for operational efficiency when faced by shortages in the labour force.
“I understand that research by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) in the field of farm mechanism has produced over 40 machines that are suitable for plantation operators and smallholders.
“Among the mechanisation technologies that have been adopted in the palm oil fields are motor harvesting machines or Cantos, palm fruit carrier machinery or Grabbers, trailer motorcycles, Beluga and slab fruit collectors.
“The use of mechanisation can motivate locals, especially youth, to venture into a career in the plantation sector,” he said.
Willie added that jobs in plantations were often considered dirty, dangerous and difficult.
