The potential of palas Licuala spinosa palm as an understorey crop in rubber Hevea brasiliensis plantation in Malaysia

Hashim M.N., . and Abd Razak O., . and Ahmad Zuhaidi Y., . and Rosdi K., . and Ab Rasip A.G., . (2008) The potential of palas Licuala spinosa palm as an understorey crop in rubber Hevea brasiliensis plantation in Malaysia. [Proceedings Paper]

Palas Licuala spinosa. is a small understorey palm commonly found in the disturbed forests in Malaysia. In northern states of Peninsular Malaysia young leaves/shoots of a certain Licuala species L. spinosa are commonly collected and used as wrapping material for ketupat a Malaysian delicacy made of sticky rice during the festive months of Syawal and Zulhijjah of the Muslim calendar. Traditionally the leaves are obtained from the wild Palas palms found in the forests. The collection of young Palas leaves is tedious and required a long period as the palm plants are scattered through out the forest areas. Moreover the Palas shoot gatherers have to confront dangerous animals of the forests especially snakes and biting insects. There is also a fierce competition between the gatherers as the resource is diminishing. As the access to forest areas become limited due to long distance of villages from natural forest coupled with restricted regulations from the authority the supply of palas shoots becoming scarce and unreliable. Furthermore Forest Enactment and Act requires gatherers to obtain valid forest permit for the forest produce collection. To overcome this situation domestication of this palm species has been initiated by some farmers in Kedah and Perlis. In this paper we present a case study of a resourceful planter in Kuala Nerang Kedah who has successful in establishing intercropping palas palms under a mature rubber plantation. The prospect of improving and expanding this new crop under the agroforestry system is also discussed.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Palas Licuala spinosa. is a small understorey palm commonly found in the disturbed forests in Malaysia. In northern states of Peninsular Malaysia young leaves/shoots of a certain Licuala species L. spinosa are commonly collected and used as wrapping material for ketupat a Malaysian delicacy made of sticky rice during the festive months of Syawal and Zulhijjah of the Muslim calendar. Traditionally the leaves are obtained from the wild Palas palms found in the forests. The collection of young Palas leaves is tedious and required a long period as the palm plants are scattered through out the forest areas. Moreover the Palas shoot gatherers have to confront dangerous animals of the forests especially snakes and biting insects. There is also a fierce competition between the gatherers as the resource is diminishing. As the access to forest areas become limited due to long distance of villages from natural forest coupled with restricted regulations from the authority the supply of palas shoots becoming scarce and unreliable. Furthermore Forest Enactment and Act requires gatherers to obtain valid forest permit for the forest produce collection. To overcome this situation domestication of this palm species has been initiated by some farmers in Kedah and Perlis. In this paper we present a case study of a resourceful planter in Kuala Nerang Kedah who has successful in establishing intercropping palas palms under a mature rubber plantation. The prospect of improving and expanding this new crop under the agroforestry system is also discussed.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	7 ref.
AGROVOC Term:	HEVEA BRASILIENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	RUBBER
AGROVOC Term:	PALMAE
AGROVOC Term:	CROPS
AGROVOC Term:	DOMESTICATION
AGROVOC Term:	INTERCROPPING
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:26
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15571

Actions (login required)

View Item