Aspects of mechanisation in oil palm estates

Abstract

Since the early 60s, a continuous endeavour has been made in United Plantations to mechanise the more strenuous and labour intensive operations on its oil palm estates. At the early period economies of cost were possibly the greatest incentive because labour was plentiful and relatively inexpensive. With the different situation now obtaining where labour is becoming ever more expensive and in short supply in a number of states, it is essential to extend mechanisation into as many areas of estate operation as possible. This paper describes three operation where mechanisation has proved successful.