Effect of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial Invertebrate Biodiversity in Smallholder Oil Palm Farming: Monoculture Versus Polyculture in Malaysia

This article investigates the connection between performance, group, and society. The argument is that group formation around particular farm operations and the details of the activities they engage in are an expression of the preferred way of technology implementation. The argument is developed using Paul Richards' notion of agriculture as performance. Two cases are presented. The first is the composition of a spraying team for weed control in smallholder oil palm production in Sumatra, connected to a global agreement on sustainable oil palm production, known as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The second case is about a team of women transplanting young rice seedlings on prepared paddy fields in a village in Uttarakhand, India. A new way of rice transplanting was introduced by a local non-governmental organization, known as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The analysis shows that group performances provide essential information about how introduced plans, regulations and material designs are reworked and turned into meaningful and effective changes to agricultural practices. The article concludes that these activities are not merely technical adjustments but in themselves express arguments about the preferred way of organising farming, farm labor, and payments. Performing groups thus exert a form of bargaining power against development actors.Keywords: Group performance, smallholder farming, technology transfer, political acts

CAN GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES SUSTAIN OIL PALM YIELDS FOR BIOENERGY PRODUCTION IN NORTHEAST THAILAND?

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479717000497 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 915-930

Author(s):

SIRILUK SOMNUEK ◽

MAJA SLINGERLAND

Keyword(s):

Palm Oil ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Oil Production ◽

Tree Age ◽

Northeast Thailand ◽

Good Agricultural Practices ◽

The Government ◽

Fresh Fruit Bunches ◽

Fertiliser Application

SUMMARYThe government of Thailand aims for sustainability of palm oil production in the Northeast for bioenergy and farmers’ income. This study investigated whether producers in Northeast Thailand managed their oil palm according to good agricultural practices (GAP) and if not, what effects this has on yield. A survey was conducted amongst 108 randomly selected farmers. For 25 selected plots, management and yields were monitored twice a month for two full years. Compliance to GAP was high for weeding, harvesting, pruning and pest and disease control but not for irrigation (40%) and fertiliser application (20–40%). GAP adoption scores per households positively correlated with income from other crops, tree age and degree of training. We showed that rainfall was insufficient for good oil palm growth between October and April. In the monitored group, use of irrigation and amounts of N, P, K and Mg applied were strongly correlated. The yield was significantly greater with irrigation and fertiliser, reaching similar levels as in the South of Thailand (up to 25–30 Mg Fresh Fruit Bunches: FFB ha−1), but did not differ with soil texture. This allows us to conclude that better application of GAP, especially including a combination of irrigation and fertilisers overcame the unsuitable soil and rainfall conditions in the Northeast of Thailand. However, the costs of fertilisers compared to the price of FFB affected the profitability of FFB production, which may affect farmers’ motivation to apply GAP, especially on unsuitable soils. When the government aims for sustainable palm oil production in the Northeast it needs to invest in frequent technical support, irrigation infrastructure and affordable fertilisers. Otherwise, farmers may not apply GAP because of low returns on investments and yields will remain very modest.

Does Botanical Diversity in Sewage Treatment Reed-Bed Sites Enhance Invertebrate Biodiversity?

International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1155/2012/324295 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Alan Feest ◽

Ian Merrill ◽

Philippa Aukett

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Conservation Value ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Reed Beds ◽

Terrestrial Invertebrate ◽

Invertebrate Species ◽

Invertebrate Biodiversity ◽

Botanical Diversity ◽

Reed Bed

(1) This study examines the effect of increasing botanical diversity, through reed-bed planting and maintenance regimes, on sewage treatment reed-bed invertebrate biodiversity and the possible enrichment of overall catchment biodiversity. (2) Reed-bed invertebrates were identified as a good indicator group of overall site biodiversity quality and were sampled at a range of sewage treatment reed-bed sites in the same geographical area between May and August 2006 (plus one natural reed-bed control site). Standardised water trapping and pitfall trapping techniques were employed throughout this sampling period. (3) Statistical analysis of the sampling results revealed that the number of plant species recorded was inversely related to terrestrial invertebrate species richness, species conservation value index and biomass within the study sites. For example, the natural reed-bed sampled had the highest botanical diversity but the lowest terrestrial invertebrate species richness. (4) This study has demonstrated that sewage treatment reed-beds support a diverse range of invertebrate species, some of them being of national conservation value. This suggests that sewage treatment reed-beds may be at least as biodiverse as naturally occurring reed-beds and will add to the overall biodiversity and ecohydrology of a catchment whilst saving energy.

Contribution of paddock trees to the conservation of terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity within grazed native pastures

Austral Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1442-9993.2006.01537.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

IAN OLIVER ◽

SARINA PEARCE ◽

PENELOPE J. M. GREENSLADE ◽

DAVID R. BRITTON

Keyword(s):

Terrestrial Invertebrate ◽

Invertebrate Biodiversity ◽

Native Pastures

Evaluation of Human Exposure toAedesBites in Rubber and Palm Cultivations Using an Immunoepidemiological Biomarker

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/3572696 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Céline Mabot Yobo ◽

Cécile Agnimou Malanfoua Sadia-Kacou ◽

Maurice Akré Adja ◽

Emmanuel Elanga-Ndille ◽

André Barembaye Sagna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oil Palm ◽

Human Exposure ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Agricultural Activities ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Specific Igg ◽

High Level ◽

Dry And Rainy Seasons

Arbovirus infections, mainly transmitted byAedesmosquito, are emerging in Africa. Efficient vector control requires an understanding of ecological factors which could impact on the risk of transmission, such as environmental changes linked to agricultural practices. The present study aims to assess the level of human exposure toAedesmosquito bites in different agroecosystem area, using an immunological tool which quantifies human IgG antibody response to oneAe. aegyptisalivary peptide. Specific IgG responses were assessed during dry and rainy seasons, in children living in different villages in Côte d’Ivoire: N’Zikro (rubber and oil palm exploitations), Ehania-V5 (oil palm), and Ayébo (without intensive agricultural activities). In the dry season, specific IgG levels were significantly lower in Ayébo compared to Ehania-V5 and N’Zikro and, interestingly, were similarly high in both villages with cultivations. In the rainy season, no difference of specific IgG was observed between villages. Specific IgG responses remained therefore high during both seasons in villages associated with intensive agricultural. The rubber and oil palm cultivations could maintain a high level of human exposure toAedesmosquito bites during both dry and rainy seasons. These agricultural activities could represent a permanent risk factor of the transmission of arboviruses.

An assessment of the use of volunteers for terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity surveys

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-009-9642-2 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 3295-3307 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Saskie Lovell ◽

Michelle Hamer ◽

Rob Slotow ◽

Dai Herbert

Keyword(s):

Terrestrial Invertebrate ◽

Invertebrate Biodiversity

A systematic review on sustainable agricultural practices among oil palm farmers

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.1177/00307270211021875 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003072702110218

Author(s):

Azlan Abas ◽

Ah Choy Er ◽

Noordeyana Tambi ◽

Nur Hafizah Yusoff

Keyword(s):

Oil Palm ◽

Technology Implementation ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Advanced Technology ◽

Agricultural Practice ◽

Sustainable Practices ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Oil palm farmers play an important role in ensuring oil palm cultivation can achieve sustainable agricultural practice. However, the best agricultural practices among oil palm farmers are yet to be known. This study aims to systematically review oil palm farmers’ sustainable practices. The present study integrated multiple research designs and the review was based on the published standard, namely ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses). This study used Web of Science (WoS) as the main database in searching for the required articles. Based on the thematic analysis, this review has 5 (five) main themes, the sustainable practices, namely 1) land management, 2) waste management, 3) advanced technology implementation, 4) economic empowerment, and 5) social inclusion. The findings offer some basics on how to integrate oil palm farmers’ practices with scientific findings for the formation of the oil palm certification and policy besides providing some ideas on the role of the oil palm farmer in the sustainable development 2030 agenda.

Studi jarak tanam dan naungan terhadap pertumbuhan dan potensi Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson sebagai tanaman penutup tanah

Kultivasi ◽

10.24198/kultivasi.v18i3.21422 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Yenni Asbur ◽

Yayuk Purwaningrum ◽

Rahmi Dwi Handayani Rambe ◽

Dedi Kusbiantoro ◽

Dian Hendrawan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Weed Cover ◽

Main Plot ◽

Planting Distance ◽

Crop Planting ◽

Asystasia Gangetica ◽

Plot Design

Sari Tanaman penutup tanah adalah salah satu praktek pertanian berbasis alam yang dapat meningkatkan penyediaan berbagai layanan ekosistem di agroekosistem. A. gangetica merupakan gulma yang banyak dijumpai di perkebunan kelapa sawit dan berpotensi sebagai tanaman penutup tanah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari jarak tanam optimum terhadap pertumbuhan dan potensi A. gangetica sebagai tanaman penutup tanah pada lahan terbuka dan ternaungi. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan, Fakultas Pertanian UISU, Medan, dari Januari-April 2018. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Petak Terpisah dengan tiga ulangan. Faktor pertama sebagai petak utama adalah naungan yang terdiri dari dua taraf, yaitu: tanpa naungan dan naungan 50%. Faktor kedua sebagai anak petak adalah jarak tanam yang terdiri dari tiga taraf, yaitu: 10 cm x 10 cm, 20 cm x 20 cm, 40 cm x 40 cm. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa A. gangetica berpotensi sebagai tanaman penutup tanah karena tumbuh cepat, cepat menutupi lahan, mampu beradaptasi terhadap lingkungan, dan mampu menekan pertumbuhan gulma dengan jarak tanam optimum 20 cm x 20 cm..Kata Kunci: Tanaman penutup tanah, jarak tanam, naungan, menekan gulma Abstract. Cover crop is one of nature-based agricultural practices that can increase the provision of various ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems. A. gangetica is a weed that is often found in oil palm plantations and has the potential as a cover crop. This study aimed to study the optimum planting distance of growth and potential of A. gangetica as a cover crop on open and shaded land. The study was conducted at the Experimental Field, Faculty of Agriculture, UISU, Medan, from January to April 2018. The study used a Split Plot Design with three replications. The first factor as main plot was shade that consisted of two levels, there were: without shade and 50% shaded. The second factor as subplot was planting distance which consisted of three levels, there were: 10 cm x 10 cm, 20 cm x 20 cm, and 40 cm x 40 cm. The results showed that A. gangetica has the potential as cover crop because it grew fast, cover land rapidly, adapt to the environment, and able to suppress weed with an optimum planting distance of 20 cm x 20 cm.Keywords: Cover crop, planting distance, shade, weed cover

ACCEPTANCE OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (GAP) AMONG INDEPENDENT OIL PALM SMALLHOLDERS IN MALAYSIA

International Journal of Modern Trends in Social Sciences ◽

10.35631/ijmtss.416001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (16) ◽

pp. 01-12

Author(s):

Nur Hanani Mansor ◽

Nazirah Che Jaafar ◽

Mohamad Arfan Johari ◽

Parthiban Kannan ◽

Say Peng Tan

Keyword(s):

Palm Oil ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Management Practice ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Agricultural Practice ◽

Good Agricultural Practices ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Record Keeping ◽

Good Agricultural Practice ◽

The Individual

Several oil palm sustainable certification schemes have been introduced in Malaysia such as MPOB Codes of Good Agricultural Practices (MPOB CoGAP) Certification, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, and Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification. All these certifications have been successfully accepted in many of the oil palm estates except the ISH. There is a big challenge to certify the Malaysian ISH because they are lack farm management practice. Therefore, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has introduced the individual sustainable certification to the ISH, which is known as Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification. This paper's main objectives are to identify the GAP acceptance level (compliant, partial-compliant, and non-compliant) recommended by MPOB and determine the factors affecting GAP certification acceptance among the ISH in Malaysia. This study was conducted in all states in Malaysia, and the data were collected from a total of 400 respondents selected through the Proportionate Random Sampling Method. The results showed that 58% of the ISH partially comply by receiving the GAP certificate. while only 26% fulfilled the requirements, thus eligible for GAP certification. Two factors that significantly influenced the GAP compliance among the ISH were the respondents' education level and the age of palm oil plantation. The results of this study indicated that GAP on fertiliser application and record-keeping were adopted by the ISH and significantly affecting their compliant level of MPOB GAP Certification among ISH.

Social and economic characteristics of ISPO certified oil palm smallholders

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202130602053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 306 ◽

pp. 02053

Author(s):

Mirawati Yanita ◽

Rozaina Ningsih

Keyword(s):

Palm Oil ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Family Members ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Social Characteristics ◽

The Social ◽

Sustainability Problems ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽

Age Range

Oil palm plantations contribute to job creation and community welfare. Nevertheless, this commodity is still experiencing business sustainability problems among smallholders in Indonesia Certification Palm Oil (ISPO). This research studies the existing conditions of ISPO certified smallholders and has not been authenticated based on economic and social characteristics. The research was conducted in Batanghari Regency with the use of primary and secondary data. The result showed that the social aspects of smallholders who have ISPO certified are average in the productive age range. However, there are no differences in education at the primary level. As for the number of family members, smallholders who are certified than uncertified have a more significant number of family members. The farming experience of certified smallholders is lower than that of non-certified, related to the age of the crop owned to motivate and carry out sustainable agricultural practices. While from the economic aspect, based on the primary and other search points, the average number for certified is more concentrated with their palm oil cultivation by 73.86 percent than non-certified with diverse business activities. There are variations in the social and economic characteristics of certified and uncertified oil palm farmers. Good agricultural practices following the norms are necessary to ensure the sustainability of oil palm cultivation. In the future, smallholders are expected to encourage improved farming practices and improve their livelihood assets