7.5 Plantation Agriculture7.5 Plantation Agriculture1. Characteristics & Historical Overview

2. Inputs/Processes/Output

3. Case study: Oil Palm Malaysia Pg 54

Plantation Agriculture

Can we classify rice as a plantation crop?No.Although it has become a commercial enterprise • most of the farmers are still subsistence in nature • Size of the farms are small • farmers sell the surplus to the middleman • who will then transport them to the mill for processing,

packing and exporting.• However, the size of a plantation is at least 40

hectares. • Cash crops are grown instead of staples.

Where is Plantation Agriculture Where is Plantation Agriculture Practised in Asia?Practised in Asia?

• Mainly in Peninsular Malaysia• Islands of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia• Philippines

WhyWhy??

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview

1. Colonial period (18th & 19th centuries)• British : rubber plantations in M’sia• Dutch : coffee, sugar & spices in Indonesia

2. Climate• Hot & wet climate favoured perennial cultivation

of sugar cane & rubber

3. Demand• Great demand in Europe & local industries

Changing Character of Changing Character of Plantation AgriculturePlantation Agriculture

1. Used to be foreign-owned• now largely owned by government or private

companies

2. Govt encouraging setting up of plantations• subsidise capital investments of subsistence

farmers who switch to plantation agriculture• Eg. Land resettlement schemes by FELDA• Federal Land Development Authority

Characteristics of Plantation Characteristics of Plantation

1. Physical Factors

• Land Size

• Relief

• Climate

• Soil

Refer to activity book pp 37-38!

2. Human Factors• Labour type

• Machines/Tools

• Capital

• Fertilisers

INPUTS

OUTPUTS

What is Plantation Agriculture?

• It is a type of commercial farming where one particular crop is grown on a large scale and sold for cash and export.

• Rubber, oil palm, coconut, pineapple, banana, tea, coffee and sugar cane

Case Study: Case Study: Plantation AgriculturePlantation Agriculture

Oil Palm Plantations in MalaysiaOil Palm Plantations in Malaysia

Case Study: Oil Palm Plantation Case Study: Oil Palm Plantation Peninsular M’siaPeninsular M’sia

1. Describe & explain the distribution of oil palm plantations in Msia

2. Importance of palm oil industry to M’sia & the world

3. Limitations & problems faced by oil palm plantations

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Introduction--Introduction-

Did you know?

• M’sia is world’s largest

producer & exporter of

palm oil since 1971• Oil palm is M’sia’s

main cash crop

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Distribution--Distribution-

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Distribution--Distribution-

• Mostly in 4 states:Johor – Both sides of the main road & railway line

Selangor & Perak

- Coastal lowlands

Pahang

- Jengka Triangle (land development scheme for smallholders)

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Factors influencing distribution--Factors influencing distribution-

1. Physical conditions• Annual r/f: at least 1,500mm + evenly distributed• Temp : 24-32°C• Relief : flat/ undulating (gently sloping)• Soil : well-drained

2. Other requirements• Labour : abundant cheap supply• Transport: efficient network within estate linking

mills to refineries

CHARACTERISTICS• A single crop is grown over a large area

• planted in neat rows with well-developed network of transportation and communication, connecting plantation areas, processing industries and markets together

• Production is mainly for the market and not for the farmers’ self-consumption

• Involves modern inputs like chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides

• Modern machinery is needed

• Labour-intensive

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Reasons for importance--Reasons for importance-

1. Generating employment- Labour intensive, job opportunities in the field- From labourers, technicians and professionals involved in

the R & D .

2. Generate high earnings to Malaysia Provide export revenue

3. Supports local industries- Provide raw materials in local industries- Encourage development of local cosmetics, detergent, food

and cooking oil industries

-Palm oil is an edible plant oil

-Palm oil is naturally reddish because it contains a high amount of beta-carotene (though boiling it destroys the carotenoids and renders the oil colourless).

-Palm oil is one of the few vegetable oils relatively high in saturated fats.

-The oil is widely used as a cooking oil, as an ingredient in margarine, and is a component of many processed foods.

-Other than cooking oil, oil palm can be used as soaps, washing powders and personal care products to treat wounds.

-In 2004, Malaysia produced 14 million tons of palm oil

-more than 38,000 square kilometres of land

-The Malaysian Sime Darby conglomerate is its largest plantation operator, with 524,626 hectares of oil palms

-Malaysia opened its first biodiesel plant in the state of Pahang

-It produces two types of oil - palm oil from the flesh of the fruit, and palm kernel oil from the seed or kernel.

-For every 10 tonnes of palm oil, about 1 tonne of palm kemel oil is also obtained.

ADVANTAGES

• More job opportunities for the people

• Source of income for the country

• Wider variety of food

• Effective use of vast land

DISADVANTAGES• Local people may be exploited as cheap labour, leading to slavery

• Growth of a single crop makes plantations very prone to diseases, poor weather and the fluctuation in world market prices

• Fertile soil for crops exported, rather than for self-consumption

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Challenges--Challenges-

1. Shortage of labour- Diff to recruit labour due to stiff competition from other

economic sectors- Crucial to maintaining + raising crop production because

process is labourr dependent- Lead to increasing production cost

2. Raising production cost- Shortage of labour has caused production to fluctuate- heavy application of fertilisers: poor tropical soil +

monoculture

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Challenges--Challenges-

3. Risk of disease/ pest attack- Monoculture

4. Fluctuating prices- Dependent on demand from user countries- Heavy loses when price plunges

5. Competition from oil substitutes- Soya bean oil, sunflower seed oil- Affects earnings

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Measures to counter Problems--Measures to counter Problems-

1. Mechanisation of field operations- Mechanising field operations to cut down heavy

dependence on labour- Aircraft to spray fertilisers- Employ foreign labour

2. Other forms of tech to lower production cost- To remain competitive - R & D to improve efficiency of processes- Produce new & value added products

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Measures to counter Problems--Measures to counter Problems-

3. Foreign labour- Solve labour shortage problem

4. Enlarging present market- Eg. South America to enhance marketability- Trade fairs, publications,…

PROBLEMS FACED

• Technology advances, reducing the need of plantation agriculture

• HYV (High-yield varieties) Short growth periods

• Shortage of workers

• Deforestation

• Destroy natural habitats

RESOURCES

IMAGES:http://images.google.com.sg/imghp?hl=enCONTEXT:http://library.thinkquest.org/26634/forest/farming/plantation.htmhttp://www.alfredhartemink.nl/plantations.htmhttp://www.slideshare.net/http://wiki.answers.com/

Recap: Oil Palm Plantation Recap: Oil Palm Plantation Peninsular M’siaPeninsular M’sia

1. Describe & explain the distribution of oil palm plantations in Msia

1. Importance of palm oil industry to M’sia & the world

2. Limitations & problems faced by oil palm plantations

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Processes- -Processes- Phase 1: Phase 1: Cultivation

i. Pre-nursery stage- Good palm seeds & soaked for

7 days - Sown in polythene bags

containing fertile soil - then kept in germinators for 2

months at 40°C

ii. Nursery stage- Transplanted to nursery &

maintained for 1 yr

iii. Main field- Transplanted to main field during

early part of rainy season- Cover crops planted bet rows of

oil palm trees- Fertilisers, fungicides &

pesticides applied

iv. Harvesting- 3 yrs after field planting- Harvested using sharp knife tied

to poles every wk- Fruits collected manually

Txtbk pg 131-132

Oil Palm Plantations in M’siaOil Palm Plantations in M’sia-Processes- -Processes- Phase 2: Phase 2: Processing

v. Transport- Harvested taken to the mills

(within estate) quickly to min accumulation of fatty acid

- Processed on the same day

vi. Sterilization- Sent to sterilisers to steam for

90 min at 1,400°C

vii. Stripping- Sent to rotary drum stripper - Stripped & separated from

stalk by lifting & dropping- Collected on conveyor belt

leading to digester

viii. Digestion- Mesocarp separated from kernel

& turned into digested mash under steam heated condition

ix. Oil extraction & Purification

- Mash sent to hydraulic press where oil is extracted

- Crude oil pumped into clarification tank at 900°C

- Impurities sink, purer oil skimmed off the top

- Passed thru high speed centrifuge & vacuum dryer

- Stored

Txtbk pg 131-132

RESOURCES

IMAGES:http://images.google.com.sg/imghp?hl=enCONTEXT:http://library.thinkquest.org/26634/forest/farming/plantation.htmhttp://www.alfredhartemink.nl/plantations.htmhttp://www.slideshare.net/http://wiki.answers.com/

Hi-Tech FarmingHi-Tech Farming1. Market Gardening

2. Case study: S’pore

Did you know?!Did you know?!

Where do we get our supply of food and vegetables, fruits, flowers?

• Johor, Cameron Highlands, Australia, China, Indonesia, Thailand…

• Singapore!

Hi-Tech FarmingHi-Tech Farming-Learning Outcomes--Learning Outcomes-

• Define & Describe the CharacteristicsCharacteristics of Market Market GardeningGardening

Describe Hi-Tech farming as a system of IIPPOO– Esp: Processes of Hydroponics & Aeroponics

Describe the +ves+ves & -ves-ves of Hi-Tech farming

• Account for the imptceimptce of agrotechnology parks in S’pore

Access the viabilityviability of Hi-Tech farming in S’pore

Terms & DefinitionsTerms & Definitions

1. Traditional Market Gardening

Intensive cash crop cultivation of vegetables, fruits or flowers mainly for the urban market

2. Hi-Tech Farming

Intensive farming system which applies modern science & technology to produce high value & high quality farm produce

What does it mean by intensiveintensive agricultural

farming?What does it mean

by agrotechnologyagrotechnology?

Traditional Market GardeningTraditional Market Gardening-Characteristics--Characteristics-

1. Located close to/ edge urban centre – Why?• High daily demand in urban settlement

• Perishables - Deliver quickly to ensure freshness

2. Highly intensive - What? & Why?• High human inputs per unit area (fertilisers,…)

• Highly productive (yields)

• Land near towns = expensive

=> need high economic returns

Von Thunen Model Von Thunen Model Agricultural Land UseAgricultural Land Use

Changes in Farming in S’poreChanges in Farming in S’pore-Trad Mrkt Gardeng -> Hi-Tech Farmg--Trad Mrkt Gardeng -> Hi-Tech Farmg-

Declining agri in S’pore – Why?• Land shortage

– competition land uses: residential, industrial…

• Low cost of importing• Pollution

Year 1980 1985 2002 2003 2005Farming Area (ha)

8,000 4,700 807 815 1,465

Changes in Farming in S’poreChanges in Farming in S’pore-Trad Mrkt Gardeng -> Hi-Tech Farmg--Trad Mrkt Gardeng -> Hi-Tech Farmg-

Emphasis on Hi-Tech farming – Why?• Reduce dependence on external supply

– Adaptability when SS falls– Stability in $$

• Need to be more self-reliant• Agrotechnology: cost-effective mthds -> high

quantity & quality yields

Year 1980 1985 2002 2003 2005Farming Area (ha)

8,000 4,700 807 815 1,465

Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Chicken ('000 no.s)

1368 1219 955 955 1266 1075 1164

Ducks ('000 no.s)

203 8.5 0 0 0 0 0

Hen eggs (mil pcs)

336 319 318 330 426 361 392

Fish (tonnes)

13049 11516 10526 10483 7785 7795 6369

Vegetables(tonnes)

16281 17291 18927 19293 17690 16525 16563

Aquarium Fish (mil pcs)

142 113 117 123 101 110 110

Orchids (mil stalks)

15 17 22 22 19 19 13

Ornamental plants

(mil plts)56 55 50 53 48 41 30

Hi-Tech Farming in S’poreHi-Tech Farming in S’pore Comes Alive!!! Comes Alive!!!

Group Work!Group Work!• 6 grps

Steps:Steps:• Research on the topics chosen (www.ava.gov.sg)• Get more insight from farm visit• Consolidate info & present to the class!

Fun Fun FunFun Fun Fun with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!

1. Describe Hi-Tech farming as a system of IIPPOO– Esp: Processes of Hydroponics & Aeroponics

2. Describe the +ves+ves & -ves-ves of Hi-Tech farming

3. Access the viabilityviability of Hi-Tech farming in S’pore- Factors that encourage dev of farming- Problems faced by farmers

Fun Fun FunFun Fun Fun with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!

1. Describe the +ves+ves & -ves-ves of Hi-Tech farming» Control of plant growth: composition of nutrient solution

» High yields: more than 2x more than traditional market gardening

» Root zone environment regulated: yields are consistent

» Grown close together: land scarce S’pore

» Mature faster: carefully controlled environment

» Automation: speeds up work +lbr shortage

» Less water in aeroponics: recycled

» Control of temp: sub-trop or temperate crop available throughout the year

» Local supply: fresher

Fun Fun FunFun Fun Fun with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!

1. Describe the +ves+ves & -ves-ves of Hi-Tech farming» Set up and operation cost: expensive» Necessary knowledge and technical skills: training, time

and money» Pest or disease: spread rapidly (same nutrient storage

tank)» Not all plants can be grown: insufficient knowledge of

nutrient requirement of plants

Fun Fun FunFun Fun Fun with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!with Hi-Tech Farming in S’pore!!!

1. Access the viabilityviability of Hi-Tech farming in S’pore

- Factors that encourage dev of farming- Problems faced by farmers