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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.