Plantation workers (harvesters), therefore, could get more income while the estates could boost production besides reducing the high cost of production due to significant labour reduction.

However, some feel that commercialisation efforts should not be institutionalised in the R&D establishment. Commercialisation and marketing of R&D findings are specialised areas and cannot be left to scientists alone.

Perhaps another way is to encourage the Government and industry players to set up a dedicated mechanised harvesting fund for the oil palm sector.

One international palm oil expert even suggested collection of industry funds and inviting bids from the world’s leading robotics institutes. Then Malaysia can select maybe two to compete in designing the best and most efficient mechanical harvesters.

It is high time local industry players looked seriously at mechanised harvesting to boost the country’s average crude palm oil yield which has been stagnant at only four tonnes per hectare for the past 20 years. THE END

Source: The Star