Economic comparisons between draught buffalo use and mechanised in-field transportation of fruit bunches in the palm oil industry in Malaysia
1992
Sarmin, S. | Liang, J.B.(Livestock Research Div., Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia))
Economic comparisons between the use of draught buffalo and mechanised in-field transportation of fruit bunches in the palm oil industry in Malaysia were made, based on information from the literature. It was found that productivity per machine/cart was the highest for mini-tractor followed by mechanical buffalo (a smaller version of mini-tractor) and draught buffalo systems. However, when the same comparisons were made on a per harvester basis, the draught buffalo system was the most efficient. Individual harvester income was the highest for the draught buffalo system, because of the higher individual output as compared to the mechanised systems. A larger initial capital investment is required for the mini-tractor system than for the mechanical buffalo and draught buffalo systems. Due to the higher individual output, the labour requirement for a given area was estimated to be lower for the draught buffalo system as compared to the mechanise systems. In addition, the draught buffalo system reduced weeding cost, resulting in significant savings for the plantation.
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