Oil Palm Plantation Area Research Articles

Dampak Kenaikan Harga Pupuk terhadap Produktifitas Kelapa Sawit Kabupaten Pelalawan

This research was conducted at independent oil palm farming in Pelalawan Regency, which was motivated by complaints from oil palm farmers about increasing the price of fertilizer. Therefore, this study aims to analyze fertilizer use before and after increasing the price and the survey method and the researcher interviewed eighty respondents based on questionnaires. The multistage sampling sampling takes four sub-districts with the largest area of oil palm plantation in Pelalawan Regency. The analyzing data with paired sample t-tests aims to compare fertilizer and herbicide usage before and after a price increase. The research showed fertilizer use before the price increase was 1.417,46 Kg/Ha/Year, whereas after the rise was 1.105,39 Kg/Ha/Year. Whereas the productivity of oil palm before the price increase was 20.029.15 Kg/Ha/Year, and after the price increase was 17.769.38 Kg/Ha/Year.

Morphological Characteristics and Chlorophyll Content of Dominant Weed Leaves After Peatland Fires in Oil Palm Plantation Areas

The weeds are high adaptability plants after peatland fires. The response of the dominant weeds growing after the fire is an important factor in weed control efforts to increase the yield of oil palm plantations on post-fire peatlands. The present study was conducted at the Kurao oil palm plantation, Lubuk Basung, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The weeds were collected by using the Quadrat method with random placement of 20 plots in post-fire and unburnt locations. The leaf morphological characteristics were determined by the descriptive method. While the chlorophyll content of leaves was measured by using calorimetry in the spectrophotometer. A total of 25 species and 17 families of weeds were collected in the present study. The Peperomia pellucida is the most dominant species collected with an important value index of 36.41% and follows by Ageratum conyzoides with an important value index of 28.99%. In the present study, we confirmed the differences in all aspects of the morphological characteristics of Peperomia pellucida leaves between post-fire and unburnt locations. Meanwhile, in Ageratum conyzoides leaves only show differences in several aspects. Furthermore, there were differences in the chlorophyll content of Peperomia pellucida, while Ageratum conyzoides did not show any differences in chlorophyll content.

Diversity of fern plants (Pteridophyta) in the oil palm plantation area of Gontara Village, Central Sulawesi

Ferns are a kind of plant that exhibits a high degree of adaptability and may be cultivated with relative ease in the Gontara Village Region, located in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The decline in the variety of this particular plant species can be attributed to the extensive conversion of land for oil palm plantations. So far, no empirical investigations or datasets have been conducted or published that provide insights on the extent of fern species diversity subsequent to the conversion of the region into an oil palm plantation. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objective of ascertaining the various classifications of ferns and assessing the extent of fern variety. The present study employs the route approach in conjunction with a purposive sampling strategy. The present study was done in the oil palm plantation region of Gontara Village, Mori Atas District, Central Sulawesi. A total of 21 fern species were identified, belonging to 5 distinct classes, 5 orders, and 9 families. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index yields a value of 2.82, indicating the extent of diversity.

Indonesia’s forest management progress: empirical analysis of environmental Kuznets curve

Purpose. High dependence on land resources is often the main cause of large-scale land conversion and deforestation in Indonesia. However, as a country vulnerable to climate change, Indonesia continues to increase its efforts to improve forest management and reduce deforestation. This is also in line with Indonesia’s commitment to reduce emission levels to achieve Net-Zero Emissions by 2060, where the forestry sector will be the base of this achievement. This study aims to measure Indonesia’s progress during 1970–2018, especially in reducing deforestation. With this study, we can see trends in forest management in developing countries, especially Indonesia. In addition, based on available data, we can see which factors are most closely related to Indonesia’s deforestation rate.
 Methodology / approach. This study uses a time-series data analysis with Error Correction Method (ECM). This ECM is used to detect the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), which describes the relationship between environmental degradation and economic variables. In this study, EKC is used to assess further relationship pattern between the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and deforestation. The relation pattern between this GDP and deforestation is tested using quadratic and cubic models.
 Results. Under the quadratic model, a classic inverted U-shape EKC is detected in this study. It means that with economic growth and technological improvement, deforestation can be reduced. In other words, Indonesia has improved its forest management. However, as the N-shape relation was also detected in further cubic model simulation, it is also an indication that, at some point, Indonesia is also prone to increase its deforestation again. Another finding from the model is that the palm oil plantation area strongly relates to the deforested area. At the same time, the simulation detects a negative relationship between the horticulture cropland and the deforested area. The result may capture an insight into the forest transition period in Indonesia. In this transition, the government has started to slow down the speed at which forests are exploited in various ways.
 Originality / scientific novelty. Although the forestry sector is an important economic sector for Indonesia, there is still limited research on this topic, especially at the national level. This study uses more updated statistical information to better describe the Indonesian forestry condition. Moreover, the analysis is aligned with the Indonesian land policy by introducing additional variables from palm oil and crop areas. Moreover, the previous EKC assessments in Indonesia usually only use the quadratic model, which has some limitations in detecting other turning points and seeing the existence of N-shaped or inverted N-shaped EKC. This study also tries to add a bit on cubic model assessment to detect this N-shaped EKC in Indonesia.
 Practical value / implications. This study gives broader information based on the available data and statistics on the country’s deforestation situation and how the economic situation affects it. Policymakers can use the materials from this study to develop an effective forest management system throughout Indonesia.

Dominance of palm oil plantation utilization on peatlands in Riau Province

Oil palm plantations have a positive impact in the form of increasing economic and social value for people in Riau Province. The area of oil palm plantations continues to increase. The limited mineral land in Riau Province has triggered the opening of oil palm plantations on peatlands. The study was conducted to obtain information on the dominance of the use of oil palm plantations in peatlands in Riau Province in this decade. The study was conducted with a descriptive approach based on analysis of changes in peatland use and increased production of oil palm plantations. The analysis was carried out spatially with the overlay technique. The analysis results were strengthened descriptively based on a literature review. The results study found that the area of oil palm plantations on peatlands in Riau Province reached 44.48%. The total production of FFE increased from 127 tons in 2010 to 193 tons in 2020. The estimated was number of people who depend on the oil palm plantation sector is 51.93%. The concluded that oil palm plantation activities have dominated the utilization of peatlands in Riau Province. The increase in oil palm plantations supports increasing production and becomes a leading commodity. The dominance of oil palm plantations has contributed to social and economic aspects as the mayor source of livelihood and increasing income.

The role of high conservation value areas to maintaining ecological balance in oil palm plantations PT. Waimusi Agroindah, South Sumatera

Currently, oil palm plantations must carry out environmentally friendly plantation activities, one of which is by maintaining the biodiversity in or around the plantation area. Biodiversity can also reduce pest attacks that can reduce oil palm productivity. The research activities were carried out at PT. Waimusi Agroindah by conducting an inventory of plant, mammal, and bird species in HCV areas and oil palm plantations (young, medium, and mature palms). The results of the research in the HCV area showed that there were 4 types of trees, 10 types of poles, 7 types of saplings, 4 understorey plants and seedlings, 4 types of mammals, and 34 species of birds. Within the HCV area, three species of mammals protected by the government were found, namely the silvery lutung (Trachypithecus cristatus) as many as 3 individuals, and three species of birds, namely Haliastur indus, Elanus caerulaus, and Anhinga melanogaster. In the oil palm plantation area, only understorey stands were found, but various types of mammals and birds were found. The number of species of mammals and birds found in HCV areas is higher than in oil palm plantations. The number of vegetation types in the HCV area is more diverse so that it can be used as a place for wildlife to live, both for forage plants and nests. This shows the need for HCV areas in biodiversity conservation and as an ecological balancer in oil palm plantation areas.

30 years trend of peatland utilization in Riau Province

The peatland was a type of wetland ecosystem that was easily damaged. Damage to peatlands is generally caused by various types of unmanaged land use. The linear increase in the number and needs of the population has triggered the conversion of peatlands every year. This study reveals facts in an exploratory descriptive manner on the trend of peatland use in Riau Province from 1990-2020. The determination of the type of land use is based on changes in the condition of the peatland cover derived from Landsat images in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The analysis was carried out with a spatial approach with overlay techniques using geographic information system applications. The results of the analysis found that the area of forest cover on peatlands in Riau Province has experienced a very large decrease from 71.71% to 35.93%. The rate of decline in forest cover area to non-forest is around 59,311.65 ha/year. The use of peatlands for cultivation activities continued to increase over the previous 30 years, from 28.29% to 64.07%. The largest utilization came from plantation activities by 44.48%. This value is very large compared to other activities such as dry land agriculture, rice fields, open land, settlements, infrastructure, mining, swamps, scrub bushes, and transmigration. This shows that plantation activities have dominated the use of peatlands, even faster than other types of land cover. Plantation activities in Riau province are dominated by oil palm, both company plantations and smallholder plantations. The increase in the area of oil palm plantations was triggered by an increase in demand and a very high economic profit value compared to other types of agricultural commodities. So that the ability to manage plantations on sustainable peatlands is very important.

Effects of forest conversion to oil palm plantation on soil erosion and surface runoff

The vegetation type and its coverage in forest ecosystems are crucial in soil erosion and surface runoff. Cover crops provide significant protection to the soil aggregates, preventing damage caused by rainfall and runoff that might occur in the absence of these crops. However, changes in land use, such as converting forests into oil palm plantations, have resulted in changes to the land cover, which affect erosion, surface runoff, and, ultimately, the forest ecology of the watershed. This study aimed to provide an overview of erosion and runoff in forest areas and oil palm plantations. This field research was conducted to study erosion, runoff, and nutrient loss using plots measuring 15m x 25m, including oil palm plantation areas and forest areas. After each rain, sediment weighing and runoff volume measurements were carried out. Laboratory analysis was conducted for sediment and surface runoff water samples’ N, P, and K elements. The study results showed that five-year-old oil palm plantation areas experience the highest levels of erosion and runoff, followed by three-year-old oil palm plantation and forest areas. Nutrients were found to be lost in sediment across all land cover types, with a minimal amount recorded in surface runoff.

ISPO Policy on Palm Oil Industry and Biodiesel Development in North Aceh

The total area of oil palm plantations in Aceh Utara Regency is 33,781.64 hectares, managed and operated by 11 oil palm plantation companies. In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 11/Permentan/Ot.140/3/2015 regarding the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification System (ISPO), the Government of Aceh Utara Regency has formulated a vision for the palm oil industry within its jurisdiction. This vision is centered around sustainability and its influence on the growth of the biodiesel sector in Aceh Utara Regency. To achieve this, the government encourages the palm oil industry to adopt ISPO certification. This research aims to analyze and describe the challenges, roles, and initiatives undertaken by the Government in Aceh Utara Regency to promote ISPO certification within the palm oil industry. The research employs an empirical juridical approach, encompassing the identification of research subjects, a statutory analysis, and horizontal and vertical synchronization methodologies to address the implementation of ISPO certification. The results of study reveal that the Government of Aceh Utara Regency has actively motivated palm oil plantation entrepreneurs to swiftly pursue ISPO certification. The government has established a dedicated team and allocated funds to expedite the implementation of ISPO.

Analisis Sebaran Konversi Lahan Pertanian di Kecamatan Muara Bangkahulu Kota Bengkulu

This study aims to determine the pattern of land use change and the pattern of distribution of land conversion that occurred in Muara Bangkahulu District in the period 2010-2022. This study uses a quantitative method with a spatial analysis approach that utilizes Geographic Information System technology and surveys to conduct ground checks in the field on the interpretation of land conversion results from satellite imagery data. The analysis used is nearest neighbor analysis and descriptive analysis. The results showed that there were only two patterns of land change that occurred in Muara Bangkahulu District, namely oil palm plantation areas turning into residential areas and agricultural areas turning into residential areas. The high rate of change of land use into residential areas is due to the subsidized housing program in Muara Bangkahulu District. The pattern of distribution of land conversion that occurs can be seen through the pattern of distribution of settlements in Muara Bangkahulu District which is included in the random category with a value of T = 1.064934 meaning that land conversion occurs in each village and the change tends to be permanent because it has changed its function to become built-up land or settlements.

Replanting and yield increase strategies for alleviating the potential decline in palm oil production in Indonesia

CONTEXTMaintaining stable and high levels of palm oil production within the current oil palm extent is a potential strategy to relieve deforestation pressure. Recent exponential growth of oil palm plantation area has led to significant carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. However, halting palm oil expansion may have adverse effects on palm oil production and the impact on the palm oil industry has not been well studied. OBJECTIVESWe developed quantitative methods to assess the potential decline of regional oil palm productivity given the landscape-level age-distribution structure on existing oil palm plantation land and evaluated strategies to alleviate this potential decline. These could provide guidance to multiple stakeholders, including mill owners, plantations, farmers, and regional governments, interested in improving and stabilizing palm oil yield. METHODSWe developed a model of palm oil production for Riau, Indonesia, where two decades of extensive industrial and smallholder oil palm expansion has occurred. Using established age-related rates of production, we investigated how palm oil productivity in current plantation areas would change over time if existing oil palm trees were cut and replanted at 25 years. We also designed scenarios based on replanting rates and yield improvements (better management practices or adopting more productive cultivars) to show the different impacts of replanting strategies. For each scenario, the production level was projected to 2075. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that the production of fresh fruit bunches from oil palm could fluctuate around 45 million metric tons if all current oil palm was replanted at 25 years with no further planted-area expansion. Replanting 4% annually, with or without yield improvements, would achieve the most stable landscape-level production. With yield improvements, the regional production could be increased to higher levels under any replanting rate. However, improving yields alone would be insufficient to prevent declining productivity trends in current plantation areas. Combining replanting with yield improvements could more quickly overcome potential declines in regional production. The age structure of oil palms in Riau is spatially heterogeneous across different districts, mills and concessions, posing increased challenges for replanting efforts to stabilize landscape-level yields. SIGNIFICANCEOur study provides important information about the policy implications from different replanting and yield increase strategies on landscape-level palm oil production. Our findings demonstrate the need for collaborations among multiple stakeholders to maintain steady high levels of palm oil production in Riau, however varying stakeholder interests present major challenges for enabling and facilitating collaborations.

ANALISIS DESIGN CHASSIS ALAT ANGKUT BUAH SAWIT KAPASITAS 500 KG DENGAN METODE ELEMEN HINGGA

Currently, the area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia is increasing. However, the condition of oil palm plantations generally has very minimal infrastructure. Therefore, a means of transporting palm fruit is needed that can move in plantation areas that have minimal infrastructure and have the ability to turn with a small turning radius. Chassis is the most important component in every vehicle. Chassis is a component used to support the load, vehicle body, engine, and driver. The development of technology in the field of engineering requires the chassis design of a vehicle to be light but strong. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the strength and safety factor of the chassis using the Finite Element Method. The software used in this analysis is SolidWorks 2018. By doing this analysis, the safety factors in the chassis design will be known. In this design, the magnitude of the factor of safety must be more than two. 3D modeling and material data are required to run the simulation of strength and factor of safety analysis. The material that will be used in the design of this chassis is ASTM A36 steel. From this research, it is expected that the chassis can withstand a maximum load of 500 kg and a maximum driver of 100 kg. From this research, it is expected that the chassis can withstand a maximum load of 500 kg and a maximum driver of 100 kg. From the simulation results using the SolidWorks 2018 software, it can be seen that the safety factor results when accelerating are 3, braking are 3.4 and when turning are 4.2. So it can be concluded that the chassis design is certainly safe.

Utilization of Empty Oil Palm Bunch as an Alternative of Organic Fertilizer at PTPN III Labuhanbatu Selatan

The development of the area of ​​oil palm plantations in Indonesia is increasing every year. So many empty palm fruit bunches produced from palm oil mills. Oil Palm Empty Bunches (EFB) is a type of solid waste that is mainly produced by palm oil mills. Empty palm kernels, e.g. Materials with a high water content are only processed in the palm oil industry due to the high cost and inefficiency of transporting and disposing of them. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of empty fruit or palm fronds as an alternative to organic fertilizer at PTPN III Labulasel from previous research. In writing this article, the research article literature search method was used in the Google Scholar database. The criteria for the selected articles are articles published in national magazines in 2018-2023. Library research was carried out by comparing research methods, processing and results of each article. Based on the results of a literature search, it is known that empty bunches or fronds of PTPN III Labusel's oil palm can be used as an alternative organic fertilizer that can be used as plant fertilizer, especially for the oil palm plant itself, and this avoids the accumulation of dirt.

The Economy of Oil palm smallholders in Post-Conflict Aceh

Abstract. This article aims to describe the economy of oil palm smallholders in post-conflict Aceh. The data for this study were gathered through observation, interviews, and a review of the relevant literature. This study found that oil palm plantations were one of the industries that helped the people of North Aceh get back on their feet economically after the conflict. The peaceful conditions in post-conflict Aceh propelled the former GAM combatants to plunge into the oil palm plantation sector because the potential for land was quite wide. The success of the oil palm plantation activities by former GAM combatants encouraged the community to participate in planting oil palm so that the area of oil palm plantations continued to increase in North Aceh, and then the community's economy also increased. These conditions strengthened peace because GAM combatants successfully switched from conflict-related activities to economic ones.

Dampak Kemiringan Lahan terhadap Kadar Hara dan Produksi Kelapa Sawit

Palm oil is one of Indonesia's sources of foreign exchange, derived from government, private, and smallholder plantations. However, palm oil production from smallholder plantations is relatively poor due to low-quality seeds, non-standard technical culture, low soil fertility, and a lack of attention to the topography and slope of the ground during planting. Therefore, this research aims to characterize the growth and production of oil palm based on soil and plant nutrient content on various land slopes. The research was conducted on an oil palm plantation in Baru Village, Siak Hulu District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. Oil palm plants have been in production for seven years. The methods used in this research are survey methods, observation, and laboratory analysis. The research design used a non-factorial randomized block design. The research factor is the land slope, with three treatment levels consisting of flat land (0–8%), land slope 8–18%, and land slope 18–28%. The parameters observed in this research include land topographic characteristics, physical and chemical properties of soil, plant nutrient content, and agronomic characteristics of oil palm plants. The observation results showed that trunk circumference, number of fruit bunches per tree, and weight of bunches per tree gave better results on a slope of 8–18%. This is due to soil conservation measures in the form of rather deep depressions around the plant plates. However, the P and K nutrient levels of oil palm plants in this research area are included in the deficiency category. As a result, this research can help make decisions about fertilizer management and land usage in oil palm plantation areas with sloping topography.

Diversity of arboreal ants in several types of land use in the Harapan Forest Landscape, Jambi

The forest area in Jambi remains at 17.25%, while the area of rubber and oil palm plantations reaches 35.54% of Jambi’s total area. Habitat transformation can reduce insect diversity and their ecosystem services. This study aims to analyze the effect of deforestation on the diversity and abundance of arboreal ants in the Harapan Forest landscape. Sampling was carried out from June to August 2017 using the fogging method. The identification was carried out at the Laboratory of Biological Control, Department of Plant Protection, IPB University, from October 2021 to August 2022. Data analysis using R studio vegan and ggplot2 packages. The results showed that the highest abundance of arboreal ants was found in the forest, with an abundance of 3106 individuals. The lowest was in the rubber plantation, with an abundance of 229 individuals. The highest arboreal ant richness was found in the riparian forest with 33 genera, and the lowest arboreal ant richness was found in rubber plantations with 16 genera. It was concluded that deforestation caused a decrease in the abundance and richness of arboreal ants, for riparian and non-riparian habitats for each land use had no significant effect on the abundance and richness of arboreal ants.

The abundance of gall fly Cecidochares connexa as biocontrol agent of Chromolaena odorata in several habitat types

Chromolaena odorata is one of the weeds which cause a problem in agricultural land, plantations and livestock. Chemical control is considered incapable of controlling the weeds because the sprayed C. odorata stems are still challenging to eradicate. The introduction of the gall fly Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Colombia as a biological control agent was released in 1993 at North Sumatra. This study aimed to know the population level of C. connexa at three different habitats i.e oil palm plantation, agriculture, and urban area. The field study was done by collecting C. odorata for each location then collected weeds observed at laboratory. The data observation were a number of C. odotara, percentage of infected weed and percentage of the adult emerge. The results showed that the oil palm area had the highest number of C. odorata weeds and C. connexa adults compared to agricultural and urban area. Contrastingly, the agricultural area showed the lowest number of the gall fly. There were two parasitoids found in this study, Braconidae sp.1 and Ormyridae sp.1.

Estimation of Palm Oil Biomass Carbon from Sentinel-2 Image using the Random Forest Classification Method

Oil palm is a carbon absorbing plant that stores it in biomass. To monitor biomass, especially in large areas of oil palm plantations, remote sensing data can be used combined with machine learning algorithms. The aims of this study were to estimate oil palm biomass carbon according to age class using non-destructive methods, as well as analyze the relationship between the reflectance of Sentinel 2 image oil palm and oil palm biomass carbon, and estimate the distribution of oil palm biomass carbon using a learning algorithm random forest (RF) engine. Measurement of biomass at the study site was carried out non-destructively using stratified purposive sampling. The closeness of the relationship between Sentinel 2 image and measured oil palm biomass is assessed from the coefficient of determination of the regression equation. Estimation of the distribution of biomass carbon in all research locations was carried out using the RF method with the Dzetsaka classification tool. The results showed that the highest biomass carbon stock was obtained in oil palm aged 20 years with an average of 59.6 tons C/ha, while the lowest biomass carbon stock was obtained in oil palm aged 17 years with an average of 32.9 tons C/ha. The reflectance value of Sentinel-2 image on the blue, green, red, and near infrared channels has a positive correlation to biomass carbon from oil palm with an R² greater than 0.8. The classification of biomass carbon with the RF approach applied to Sentinel-2 image gives an adequate accuracy value of 76.40% in the combination of the proportion of training and testing data 60% : 40%.

Technical formulation for estimating the economic loss impact of the smallholder oil palm replanting program in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the smallholder oil palm plantations constitute 42% of the national oil palm plantation area. Therefore, the success of increasing the productivity of smallholder palm oil will have a major impact on the sustainability of the national palm oil industry. Replanting aging oil palm trees is a priority in Indonesia. Old trees become less productive, and to maintain or even increase yields to meet the demand for palm oil without increasing land used, replanting is necessary. For large agribusinesses, replanting is done regularly, however, for smallholders, this can be a challenge for various reasons mainly related to loss of income, lack of labor, and uncertainty about the process. It is important to determine the impact of the smallholder palm oil replanting program (SPR Program) in stages as a material for consideration in formulating more anticipatory and responsive policies so that they are right on target.The indicator of temporary loss of income is generated through a gradual calculation at three economic levels, namely household (micro), sectoral (agriculture) and regional (macro) economy. The calculated indicator value is in the form of a relative value that can be used as a reference in decision making, using the approach of the proportion of affected households and the level of temporary income loss, but in general the two approaches have a unidirectional relationship. The method developed in stages in this paper is recommended to be used in making decisions in government intervention policies in the context of handling the negative impact of the SPR Program as well as programming and community empowerment activities. A priority policy to prepare households and regions to face temporary loss of income sources due to the SPR. Empowerment policies that contain a priority scale both from the target group, implementation time, and period as well as the form of activities and programs according to their potential and needs. Key words: palm oil, replanting, temporary loss of income, empowerment, policy

Template matching method to determine oil palm trees

Palm oil is one of the leading plantation sectors in Indonesia. Palm oil product which consists of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil has a high economic value. Indonesia has an area of 34.18% of the world’s oil palm plantations. Aceh province is recorded to have an area of oil palm reaching 488 thousand hectares in 2020, with an area of oil palm plantations owned by Indonesia, especially Aceh, making a palm oil counting process to calculate the amount of fertilizer used in each tree circumference and calculate the amount of oil palm production into work which takes time and price is quite expensive. The purpose of this study is to counting the number of oil palms by using the template matching method on aerial photo images. The template matching method consists of 3 stages of analysis, that is: Select sample, Generate templates, and Test template. The result of this study obtained 9.558 oil palm trees, but it is still necessary to edit the attribute because there are some trees that are not detected and there are two points on the tree one plant.