How it works - How oil palm is grown and harvested (Bahasa Indonesia Subtitles)

Summary

This video highlights the process of growing and harvesting oil palm at Golden Agri-Resources. It begins with high-quality seed production and nurturing seedlings in specialized nurseries. These seedlings are then planted and cared for, with natural methods like barn owls being used for pest control. After four years, the trees begin producing fruit, which is harvested using long sickles. The harvested fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) are transported to palm oil mills. The video offers a detailed look at the care, growth, and harvesting techniques that contribute to high-quality palm oil production.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Golden Agri Resources grows around 13 million tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) annually on over 500,000 hectares of land.
• 🌳 The process of planting and growing oil palm trees starts with high-quality seeds that are developed in GAR's Smart Research Institute.
• 🌾 GAR's seeds are specifically bred to yield higher production and to be more resistant to diseases and pests.
• 💧 Once seeds grow into seedlings, they are nurtured in specialized nurseries for up to one year.
• 🌱 Seedlings with 12 to 15 leaves are then transplanted onto plantations before the rainy season in Indonesia, allowing roots to set up before the dry season.
• 🏞️ The trees are planted in a grid with around 100 trees per football field-sized plot of land.
• 🦉 To protect trees from pests, GAR uses barn owls, a natural method that supports farming.
• ⏳ It takes about four years for oil palm trees to bear fruit suitable for harvest, and they can continue to produce for up to 30 years.
• 🌳 A healthy tree can produce 12 to 14 bunches of FFBs per year, with each bunch weighing between 10 to 25 kilograms.
• 🔪 Harvesting requires skilled workers to use long sickles to dislodge the FFBs, reaching the top of the tree.
• 🚚 After harvesting, the FFBs are collected and transported to one of GAR's palm oil mills for further processing.

Q & A

What is the main agricultural product of Golden Agri Resources?

Golden Agri Resources primarily produces palm oil by growing oil palm trees, which yield fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) on more than 500,000 hectares of land each year.

Why is the first phase of planting and growing oil palm trees important?

The first phase of planting and growing oil palm trees is crucial to producing the best quality oil, as it ensures the trees are healthy and productive from the start.

What kind of seeds does Golden Agri Resources produce for oil palm trees?

Golden Agri Resources produces high-quality 'dummy ma' seeds, which are known for growing oil palm trees that yield higher amounts of fruit and are naturally resistant to diseases and pests.

How are these special seeds developed?

The seeds are developed through years of breeding and selection at Golden Agri Resources' smart research institute, ensuring that the oil palm trees are as healthy and productive as possible.

What happens after the seeds grow into seedlings?

Once the seeds grow into seedlings, they are nurtured in purpose-built seed nurseries for up to a year until they develop 12 to 15 green leaves, after which they are transferred to the plantation.

Why is the timing of planting important in Indonesia?

The seedlings are planted just before the start of the rainy season in Indonesia, allowing the plants to establish a strong root system before the dry season arrives.

How are the seedlings planted on the plantation?

Each seedling is carefully placed in a grid on the plantation, with more than 100 trees for every football field-sized piece of land.

How are the oil palm trees cared for as they grow?

The trees are fertilized and protected from pests, including the use of barn owls, which help in a natural way to control pests.

How long does it take for oil palm trees to start producing fruit suitable for harvest?

It takes about four years for oil palm trees to produce fruits that are suitable for harvest.

How long do oil palm trees continue to produce fruit?

Oil palm trees will continue to produce fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) for up to 30 years, reaching a height of around 40 feet by the end of their productive lifespan.

What is the process of harvesting the FFBs from the trees?

The FFBs are dislodged using a very long sickle, allowing skilled harvesters to reach the high fruit bunches. After harvesting, the FFBs are collected and transported to one of Golden Agri Resources' palm oil mills.

What is the significance of using barn owls in the cultivation of oil palm trees?

Barn owls are used to help control pests in a natural way, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to farming.