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PHASE I PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT
During the period from land acquisition to planting the manager aims to bring each parcel
of land to a similar level of development. Planted areas can then be handed over to a
separate management unit responsible for the maintenance of newly planted areas (see
Phase II).There is considerable scope for managers to improve the efficiency and success of oil
palm developments. For example:
1. Time nursery planting so that palms are in optimal condition for planting when lining
has been completed.
2. Avoid conflicting demands for heavy machinery during land clearing, drainage and
road construction by implementing each operation in an orderly sequence of events.
3. Plan to overlap development events (e.g. planting commences before all the land
as been prepared for planting).
A simple operations plan helps to keep work on schedule. When properly organized it is possible to bring the firstplanted palms into production 40 months after seed planting in the nursery! Nursery operations are indicated inblue, Phase I in brown and Phase II in green bars.
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101.0 SURVEYING
OBJECTIVES
To identify the location of plantation boundaries, mark in the main base raja line, and mark
the position of main (M) and harvest (H) roads.
To prepare an accurate Estate Map showing
the plantation boundaries, drainage system
and topography.
STANDARDS
Surveys must be conducted methodically
and all data checked meticulously. Future
management operations depend on
accurate surveys and area measurements.
Maps must be to scale (e.g. 1:5,000) and
include all distinguishing features such as
rivers, low-lying areas, hills, and
environmentally sensitive areas that should
not be planted. North must be clearly
marked.
EQUIPMENT
Dumpy level/theodolite, 100 m tape measure, compass.
Chainsaw (with maintenance kit) or bushknife to clear survey lines and peg sites, hammer.
Global Positioning System (GPS) and electronic measurement equipment.
MATERIALS
Fuel and oil for chainsaws.
Supply of durable 2.5 m wooden pegs (20 mm x 20 mm), white and red paint (planting pointlining), blue paint (road and drain lining).
Graph paper (2.5 mm square) and A3 isometric paper for mapping.
Rotring pens and stencils.
PROCEDURES
For more details on surveying, refer to:
Perkins, R. B. (1982) Estate Surveying. The Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur,
208pp.
An estate map provides essential information forplanning and monitoring fieldwork. Ideally, prepare aGIS map using data loggers and satelite positioningsystems.
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1. Reconnaissance
The Field Manager must visit the site with
the surveyors and other staff to familiarize
themselves with the landscape and identify
features of particular interest (e.g. swampy
area, rocky cliffs).
Locate the boundary markers (if available)
using government survey department maps
and known reference points. Install
permanent concrete markers before any
field work commences.
Cross check the location of boundaries with
local village leaders and government
authorities to avoid costly disputes during the development phase.
Inspection from the air provides an excellent overview and helps with the identification ofproblem areas. Prepare annotated sketch maps and take photographs during the flight.
2. Initial site overview
An advance team cuts rentices on a parallel grid at approximately 1,000 m intervals. The
grid interval should be decreased where additional information is required (e.g. in a swampy
corner the grid may be decreased to 100 m x 100 m to plot the extent of the problem).
Consider the future road system when establishing rentice lines to minimise work duplication.
The survey team inspects the grid. Experts identify the soil types, inspect the drainage
system, and identify potential access problems. Samples (water, soil) and observations
are taken, and their point of origin noted and mapped. Sample points are usually located at
the intersection of main grid lines using a reference system. The best system is to designate
east-west lines alphabetically and north-south lines numerically to provide an alphanumeric
references for each point (e.g. J34). The grid reference system is marked on 2.5 mm
square graph paper or plotted by computer if a Global Positioning System (GPS) has been
used. The Field Manager must inspect the preliminary site maps frequently to check for
errors and to note features that may affect future plantation development.
A GPS is invaluable for the initial stages of survey and mapping to locate markers accurately
and to develop maps. It may be necessary to hire a surveyor trained in GPS interpretation.
More sophisticated equipment such as electronic range finders, altimeters and direction
finders are also now being adopted for use in plantations. Where possible, ortho-corrected
aerial photographs should be used.
Maintain and regularly update a master Estate Map containing all relevant information.
3. Base survey.
The initial survey work on a new area is usually carried out by a qualified (e.g. ISP certified)
estate surveyor or survey contractor, particularly if satellite technology is to be used.
If in any doubt about the location of a boundary point, seek assistance from the localgovernment survey department.
A thorough survey by an experienced planter, soilsurveyor, and drainage expert is required to determineland preparation requirements.
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The base survey procedure is as follows:
1. Clear sight lines or rentices along the boundaries.
2. Install permanent concrete posts (2 m x 10 cm x 10 cm) at all 'benchmark' boundary
stations and mark their position on the master Estate Map. Do not use streams,
rivers or trees as permanent reference points.
a) Flat areasThe planting density is selected before surveying begins and is taken into account when
marking out the location of roads.
Sub-main (S) roads are aligned to meet the main (M) haulage roads at approximately
1,000 m intervals and, wherever possible, at right angles.
Harvest (H) roads meet the S roads at intervals dictated by the harvest carry distance, or
the distance that the collection unit must travel in the case of assisted collection (e.g.
mechanized or draught animal transport).
The most common palm block sizes are 300-330 m wide, and 1,000 m long with 10 m wideroads (scupper drain to scupper drain). This gives a palm block area of 30-33 ha and a
road density of about 40-50 m/ha.
b) Hilly areas
In hilly areas, all roads are initially planned to suit the specified planting density as though
the area was flat. The location of each road is then adjusted to accommodate obstructions
(e.g. a rocky outcrop) using a contour map overlay, and unsealed roads are realigned to
give a road gradient that does not exceed 1:10 (10%).
In terraced areas, the roads must dissect the terraces at intervals equal to or less than themaximum carry distance along the terrace.
c) Swampy areas
In flat swampy areas requiring drainage (e.g. coastal clay and peat soils), flying (spot)
levels should be taken along the rentice lines to identify low lying areas where drainage
may be difficult.
In peat swamps and coastal clay areas, strategic points for the installation of water gates
should be identified at an early stage of the survey.
Future mechanization should be considered during the design and layout of the plantation.
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d) Survey completion
From the working sketch, an Estate Map is produced showing main drains, roads, and an
estimate of the size of each planting block.
In the event of a dispute over the location of a boundary, the matter is referred to the
relevant local government land authority.
After planting, a full isometric survey of the planted area is carried out and used to calculate
the total planted area in each block (i.e. total number of planted points planting density =
actual planted hectarage, Refer to Appendix A8).
If GPS technology has been used, an accurate Estate Map showing boundaries and areas
can be produced and overlays showing drainage, roads and other reference points can be
added to the base map to produce a geographical information system (GIS). Later on, the
digitized maps can be linked to a database containing all relevant agronomic data to produce
maps showing key agronomic information. Refer to Appendix A9.
The Field Manager, Nursery Manager and field staff should review the completed Estate
Map during field reconnaissance walks so that land clearing and field planting can be planned
and coordinated properly.
Adjustments and requests for re-surveys should be arranged at this stage.
It is often convenient to carry out a soil survey at this stage.
For more details on soil surveying in SoutheastAsia, refer to:
Paramanthan, S. (1987) Field Legend for Soil Surveys in Malaysia. Universiti Pertanian,
Malaysia, 92pp.
Buringh, P. (1979) Introduction to the Study of Soils in Tropical and Subtropical Regions.
Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen, 124p.
A toposequence of soil types observed from a newly installed drainage canal. The Field Manager must take
advantage of every opportunity to improve his understanding of the natural resource base of the plantation.
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FREQUENCY
A main survey and mapping exercise is carried out before any new planting is done. A
fresh survey may be necessary in replanted areas. Estate Maps must be updated after
replanting.
TIMING
Surveying must be completed at least three months before palm point lining is started.
Overlays of planting layout, roads and drainage must be completed two weeks before
lining for planting begins.
TASK
md/ha $
Baseline survey 0.04 0.02 0.01Full survey 0.05 0.03 0.02
RECORDS
An annotated sketch map must be produced and regularly updated as new information is
gathered, to provide a dynamic model of the field.
Digital information recorded on GPS equipment should be stored for future reference
ENVIRONMENT
A full environmental assessment should form part of the feasibility study for new plantings
and replantings. Do not plant unsuitable land (e.g. steep land, difficult to drain swamps)!
Do not contaminate waterways with fuels or lubricants.
SAFETY
Bushknives are sharp cutting instruments and must be used and maintained carefully.
Make sure operators are properly trained in the safe use of chainsaws.
Sharp handtools Chainsaw
NOTES
Refer to Sections 102.0 and 103.0 for more details on roads and drains.
Two general rules are:
Fit the planting to the terrain not the terrain to the planting and
Fit roads to the planting point layout not the planting point layout to the road system.