Yield maximization and conservation in tree crop agriculture with special reference to oil palm and cocoa

Ooi S.H., . and Woo Y.C., . and Leng K.Y., . Yield maximization and conservation in tree crop agriculture with special reference to oil palm and cocoa. pp. 501-519.

Over the past three decades an estimated 6 million hectares of lowland rainforest in Southeast Asia have been cleared for the commercial production of palm oil rubber and cocoa. To the environmentalist further rapid expansion of such tree crop agriculture at the expense of remaining tropical rainforests is undesirable and cannot be sustained in the long term. There is also ample evidence to show that current genetic yield potentials of tree crops are grossly underexploited which further calls into question the necessity for such expansion in order to increase production. An alternate strategy based on maximizing yield with highly specific agronomic techniques is advocated. Pioneering work on maximum exploitation of genetic yield potentials (MEGYP) in Malaysia clearly demonstrate that productivity can be enhanced by at least 30-40 percent in oil palm more in cocoa. Another alternative worth pursuing with appropriate technology would be to divert the expansion of agriculture from forest land to the millions of hectares of idle land abandoned to Imperata cylindrica. Experience with annual crops points to the need to integrate soil and moisture conservation measures with agronomic practices in order to achieve maximum economic yields on a sustainable yield basis. We believe the same applies for tropical tree crops. For replanting of oil palm a more gentle approach which enhances the physical and chemical properties of the top soil is advocated. For erosion control under oil palm simple practices such as maintenance of adequate ground vegetation cover proper placement of pruned fronds and planting on platforms on slopes deserve to be better utilized by planters and smallholders. As custodians of nearly 4 million ha or 80 percent of total cropped land in Malaysia their acceptance and widespread adoption of environmentally sound land and crop husbandry practices will significantly reduce the adverse impact of agriculture on the environment.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Over the past three decades an estimated 6 million hectares of lowland rainforest in Southeast Asia have been cleared for the commercial production of palm oil rubber and cocoa. To the environmentalist further rapid expansion of such tree crop agriculture at the expense of remaining tropical rainforests is undesirable and cannot be sustained in the long term. There is also ample evidence to show that current genetic yield potentials of tree crops are grossly underexploited which further calls into question the necessity for such expansion in order to increase production. An alternate strategy based on maximizing yield with highly specific agronomic techniques is advocated. Pioneering work on maximum exploitation of genetic yield potentials (MEGYP) in Malaysia clearly demonstrate that productivity can be enhanced by at least 30-40 percent in oil palm more in cocoa. Another alternative worth pursuing with appropriate technology would be to divert the expansion of agriculture from forest land to the millions of hectares of idle land abandoned to Imperata cylindrica. Experience with annual crops points to the need to integrate soil and moisture conservation measures with agronomic practices in order to achieve maximum economic yields on a sustainable yield basis. We believe the same applies for tropical tree crops. For replanting of oil palm a more gentle approach which enhances the physical and chemical properties of the top soil is advocated. For erosion control under oil palm simple practices such as maintenance of adequate ground vegetation cover proper placement of pruned fronds and planting on platforms on slopes deserve to be better utilized by planters and smallholders. As custodians of nearly 4 million ha or 80 percent of total cropped land in Malaysia their acceptance and widespread adoption of environmentally sound land and crop husbandry practices will significantly reduce the adverse impact of agriculture on the environment.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	5 tables; 6 graphs; 36 ref.; Summaries (En)
AGROVOC Term:	ELAEIS GUINEENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	THEOBROMA CACAO
AGROVOC Term:	CAMPO
AGROVOC Term:	MALASIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:56
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20617

Actions (login required)

View Item