LUBOK ANTU, Oct 9: Sarawak aims to increase the yield of oil palm plantations from 15 tonnes currently to 20 tonnes per hectare.
Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that its board committee had engaged the services of Sime Darby consultants to study how it should manage its plantations for maximum yields.
“We want to learn from them (Sime Darby) how to increase yields in our plantations from 15 tonnes per hectare now to 20 tonnes.
“The consultants are expected to hand over their reports soon,” he revealed when officiating at a community policing programme at Rh Meritian Melintang in Merindun here today.
Uggah who is also the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development added Sime Darby is a well-established palm oil giant with plantations nationwide and in Indonesia.
He also pointed out that in line with the current trend, more modern technology would be adopted.
“We will use drones to monitor the health of the crop. Then IoT (Internet of Things) will be adopted to identify the right fertiliser based on the soil and palm conditions.
“We are also introducing the rearing of cattle in plantation areas to play the role of natural weeders,” he explained.
He disclosed that 1,000 heads of cows, imported from Australia, had been released in plantation areas there.
In this regard, he addedm Salcra planned to set up breeding areas to produce more cows.
Political secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Richard Rapu, Sri Aman Resident Indit Bangai and Lubok Antu District Officer Richard Ngumbang were among those present. — DayakDaily
