KOTABARU, South Kalimantan: Revenues of oil palm farmers in Kotabaru District, South Kalimantan, last month dropped dramatically because of the fresh fruit bunches (TBS) harvested during drought reduced than usual, Antaranews reported.
“The long drought caused palm trees are not much flowering, so the palm fruit is also reduced,” said Sholeh, oil palm farmer in South Kelumpang, in Kotabaru, Monday.
He admitted, oil palm plantations are treated under normal conditions can produce TBS to 2,400 kilograms per two weeks. But this time only produce an average of 250 kilograms TBS.
Besides the fruit is reduced, TBS prices last month was also down from Rp1.200-Rp1.150 per kg to Rp1,100 per kg.
According to Sunarto, also oil palm farmer, the fall in TBS results are not necessarily a result of a month or two months of no rain. But already through the process of five months earlier.
“The process of flower to fruit can be harvested takes about six months, so if this time the fruit is reduced, not because of drought that occurred only two months, but it has happened less interest since five months ago,” he explained.