Improve FFB Quality by improving field practices

Objective : To achieve high FFB quality by improving field practices

Work specification
A. Harvesting operation

a. Tools preparation
b. Harvester moves through the fields to identified ripe bunches.
c. Cut frond and stack in the interrow.
d. Cut the bunch
e. Collect FFB and carry to platform
f. Collect loose fruit and carry to platform.

Standard

Appropriate tools must be provided to the harvesters :-
PJ - Type of tools

Age 3 years : Chisel 2 in
Age 4 years : Chisel 4 in
Age 5 to 6 yrs : Chisel 5" to 6"

PM - Sickles
Poles -
1) Sime poles
2) Kinggoya pole
3) Any appropriate poles available in the market.

Please note :
The usage of appropriate poles can improve harvesting productivity by at least 10%.

Trimming bunch stalk <7 data-blogger-escaped-.5="" data-blogger-escaped-br="" data-blogger-escaped-cm="">
Dislodging any loose fruit trapped in the frond axils.

Control measures

Harvesting standard assessment must be carried out in the field, on the palm, at the platform and ramp.

Estate manager must make daily checks and must exercise preventive control in the harvesting area daily.

Harvesting Staff / Mandore. Update on new equipment available from time to time.

Safety procedures must be spelt out to all concerned.

A1 : Harvesting organization - Labour requirement

Standard

Labor recruitment by the Agents / HQ
Recruitment by Estate Management
To submit quarterly labour requirement to Head Office

Control measures

Recruitment expenses should be in line with rate determined by HQ.

In case recruitment by the estate management, prior written approval must be sought from HQ.

A2 : Harvester to land ratio

a. Cutter & Carrier (Palm age <15 data-blogger-escaped-yrs=" 10">16 yrs = 9 ha.
b. Cutter & carrier team ( Palm age <15 data-blogger-escaped-yrs=" 20">16 yrs = 18 ha)
c. Cutter & MTG team (15/24 , 16/18)
d. Cutter & MTG & LFC (15/20, 16/18)
e. Cutter & Carrier & LFC (12/20, 16/18)

Nature of terrain and palm age should be given due to consideration.

A3 : Harvesting Task

Ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 ha (300 to 400 palms) per day/harvester.
MTG areas - 4 Ha/Harvester.

Control measure
Review task requirement or re tasking.

A4 : Harvester Productivity
Palm age <5 data-blogger-escaped--="" data-blogger-escaped-1.3="" data-blogger-escaped-1.5="" data-blogger-escaped-br="" data-blogger-escaped-manday.="" data-blogger-escaped-per="" data-blogger-escaped-to="" data-blogger-escaped-tonne="" data-blogger-escaped-yrs="">
Palm age >6 yrs - 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes per/manday.

Control measure
Daily monitoring - bunch count/weight.

A5 : Controlling harvesting standard

Age >3 yrs to 6 yrs = 3rds/month
Age >6 yrs to 18 yrs = 2.25 to 3.0 rds/mth
Age >18 yrs to 25 yrs = 2.0 to 2.5 rds/mth

Follow the MPOB FFB ripeness standard manual.
Training harvester.
Daily checking.
Stack frond as required.
No unripe bunches cut.
No ripe bunches missed out.
All FFB collected.
All loose fruit collected.
Avoid excessive handling of FFB to minimize bruising.
Sent to mill within 24 hours.
Avoid contamination of fruit with soil and debris.
Shake out poorly pollinated & rotten bunches for loose fruits.
Trim long bunch stalks.
Stack frond as required method.
No half cut bunches.

Control measure
Harvesting chart/BAARMIS should be maintained.
Weekly/monthly reporting system attached to progress report.

Use of OPC No. 15b and c as a guide towards quality control.

Daily monitoring and on the job training must be initiated monthly.

B. Fruit handling & transport

Crop must be despatched within 24 hours to the mill.
All weather road condition whole year.

Control measure
Daily monitoring by the Estate Manager/Assistant as OPC 15a. Supervision method and control for FFB collection.
Timely road maintenance programme.

B1 : Vehicle requirement
-Field to ramp
-Filed to mill

To make sure adequate vehicle fleet for crop evacuation. (Preventive maintenance)
Transport : Field / ramp of mill (Daily machine productivity should be monitored.

For tractor >75 Hp to 85Hp - Machine/Ha:
Flat & undulating terrain : 1:350
Hilly Terrain machine/Ha : 1:300

Safety requirements should be strictly adhered as OSHA requirement.

MTG (In-Field & Platform Collection)
MTG (28 Hp)/Ha 1:250 Ha
MTG (45 Hp)/Ha 1:300 Ha

B2 : Loading and transporting of FFB
Trailer -5/6 tonnes
Wheelbarrow -100 to 150 kg
High lift trailer -1.5 tonnes
Earth basket in hand for loose fruit collection.

Control measure
Quality control and assessment at estate and mill ramp.
Refer to OPC 18a-Handling FFB for despatch.
Avoid excessive FFB handling to avoid bruising.
Avoid contamination.
Adequate implements for loaders.

C. FFB at estate ramp
No loose fruit and FFB left at ramp area.
Ramp cleanliness.

Control measure
Quality control and assessment at estate and mill ramp. Minimize workers feet and wheels of vehicles crushing fallen fruits by frequently collecting FFB lying on the ground.

D. Compensation
Wage rate for Peninsular guided by MAPA Agrement. For East Malaysia it is to be agreed by Head Office.

Control measure
Payslip by the estate.
Payslip by contractor for contract workers.

E. Field Audit on Harvesting & Collection

Crop harvested and evacuated from field and platform should be checked daily by the designated checker or field auditor and the report must be made available.

Control measure
Designated person should be appointed to carry out field audit daily. The mill engineer can also appoint mill's FFB grader to carry out joint auditing with the estate if necessary.

The procedure is to check harvesting standard and loose fruit collection after completion of harvesting.

References : OPC No. 15a, 15b, 15c & 18a