SANDAKAN: As a result of drastic changes in the weather pattern around the world, the oil palm planting industry in Malaysia has also been badly affected by yield drops because of the El Nino effects.
Growers can mitigate such yield drops by tackling other factors that are within their control.
Some of these factors are related to the efficient use of fertilization in order to improve and maximize yields. Problems arise due to the wrong choice of fertilisers, labor shortage and the small window of good weather months per year to complete fertilization.
In addition to the choice of good planting material, fertilisation is one of the main ways to increase yield. The right fertiliser choice enables the planters to apply the nutrients that the palm needs in less rounds (usually four per year is manageable), in balanced proportions, and in the form that results in maximum uptake and minimal wastage.
Towards this end, Behn Meyer AgriCare has since 2015, commissioned a plant to produce dry granulation fertilisers, that are of premium quality, through the compaction process.
These fertilisers, by the brand name of IMPACTTM, are usually complete N-P-K-Mg+B grades, with good handling and storage characteristics.
Unlike other wet granulation products, IMPACT fertilisers contain no urea which is prone to losses of nitrogen (N) through volatilisation, and contain no rock phosphates which are poorly available forms of phosphorus (P).
Most grades contain boron (B) which is one of the key micronutrients for good oil palm production. The chemical characteristics of IMPACT are very consistent with the declared nutrients, and can be used to accurately dose the palms to produce good yields. IMPACT fertilisers are priced affordably, and can enable growers to lower their cost of production by increasing the yield.
Contact Behn Meyer AgriCare for agronomic advice to help improve your yield. The company’s contacts in Sandakan are 089-614127, Lahad Datu: 089-880334 and Tawau: 089-755392.