MAWA vs. MATAG - Review of a 21-year study on yield performance

MAWA vs. MATAG - Review of a 21-year study on yield performance

Wow... I've really been away from this blogging thing for a long time. But I do have a good reason though: I've been busy finishing up my research work, and finalizing certain papers that are slated for publication. 



Anyway, this time around I thought I would like to talk about the yield performances of the MAWA and MATAG hybrid coconuts. As I've mentioned before, I was once worked in one the best plantations in the country. I was privileged too, since the plantation dealt with a great variety of commodity and cash crops, which included the coconut. To freshen your memory, the MAWA and MATAG hybrids are among the most productive coconut hybrids available currently.



Here are some facts and figures about Malaysia's coconut industry (source: Asian and Pacific Coconut Community)

Currency Unit
Ringgit Malaysia (RM)
Exchange rate to  US$ (Average)
3.56
Area Under Coconut (Ha)
115,000
Total Coconut Production

In nuts equivalent
390,000,000
In copra equivalent
78,000 MT
Estimated Domestic Consumption

In nuts equivalent
418,000,000
In copra equivalent
96,000 MT
Export Volume

Fresh Coconuts
: 23,559,000 nuts
Copra
: 1,503 MT
Coconut Oil
: 297,007 MT
Copra Meal
: 3,960 MT
Desiccated Coconut
: 6,601 MT
Coconut Milk Powder
: 5,006 MT
Activated Carbon
: 15,076 MT
Fibre & Fibre Products
: 1,738 MT
Total Coconut Export Value
: RM700,000,000
 


The bulk of Malaysia's coconut growing areas are still cultivated with the traditional Malayan Tall variety, which produces huge nuts with a high kernel content, as seen in the picture here. However, the yield of the Malayan Tall is often times low; even on well managed plantations, yields are normally about 10,000 nuts per hectare per year, whereas the typical yield is closer to 3,000 nuts only! However, the kernel quality is excellent, and oil yield is good. 

In view of the low productivity of traditional coconut production, many coconut farms were converted to other more lucrative crops, such as the oil palm. Thus, in order to save the local coconut industry from total collapse, the MAWA and MATAG hybrids were introduced.




The Hybrids

The MAWA and MATAG cononuts are the result of hybridization between the local dwarf coconut and a selected tall variety. The dwarf parent acts as the mother palm, whereas the tall parent serves as pollen donor. The choice of parental coconut varieties depend on the inherent characteristics possessed by both; the dwarf parent has earlier maturity, fruit bearing and shorter height increment, while the tall parent produces a high number of female flower "buttons", has larger coconuts, and has superior kernel quality.
 

 
The "mother" palms are typically either the Malayan Red Dwarf, or the Malayan Yellow Dwarf

 The pollen donors are typically from the tall varieties, eg. the Tagnanan Tall or the West African Tall
 

                        MATAG                                                                           MAWA

Hybrid progeny show a high production of nuts, shorter stature (compared to Tall parent), and larger nut sizes (compared to Dwarf parent).

 
21-year Yield Comparison for MAWA and MATAG Hybrids

The following is a table that shows the year-by-year yield data for the MAWA and MATAG hybrids. Areas of comparison are on per palm basis, and include nut yield, bunch production, and copra yield. Plots evaluated for each hybrid were planted with 131 palms per hectare (53 per acre), so to find out the yield per hectare, just multiply the figures in the table by 131 (or 53 if using acre).




Nuts/Palm
Bunches/Palm
Copra (kg)/Palm
Year
MATAG
MAWA
MATAG
MAWA
MATAG
MAWA
1987
81.0
90.0
12.7
14.1
21.1
19.2
1988
108.0
137.0
15.0
16.4
28.2
29.2
1989
155.0
159.0
17.3
18.7
40.5
33.9
1990
167.0
152.0
16.9
16.1
43.6
32.4
1991
123.0
140.0
14.6
14.7
32.1
29.8
1992
175.0
182.0
18.0
17.6
45.7
38.8
1993
186.0
180.0
17.8
17.7
48.5
38.3
1994
192.0
192.0
17.6
17.3
50.1
40.9
1995
190.0
184.0
17.1
16.0
49.6
39.2
1996
163.0
155.0
17.1
15.7
42.5
33.0
1997
200.0
189.0
18.3
17.2
52.2
40.3
1998
235.0
218.0
18.7
17.5
61.3
46.4
1999
223.0
238.0
17.7
17.5
58.2
50.7
2000
256.0
283.0
17.8
17.8
66.8
60.3
2001
245.0
292.0
18.0
18.0
63.9
62.2
2002
212.0
242.0
17.2
18.2
55.3
51.5
2003
219.0
244.0
17.5
17.4
57.2
52.0
2004
152.0
174.0
17.5
17.7
39.7
37.1
2005
175.0
173.0
17.9
18.0
45.7
36.8
2006
194.0
193.0
18.2
18.1
50.6
41.1
2007
182.0
187.0
18.3
18.5
47.5
39.8
MEAN
182.5
190.7
17.2
17.2
47.6
40.6



As can be seen from the table above, each hybrid has its own merit in terms of production and yield. While the MAWA produces 4.5% more nuts per palm compared to MATAG, its smaller nut size results in it producing 17.2% less copra. The following photo shows a comparison of the copra and nut size of the the Malayan Tall, MATAG and MAWA coconuts respectively.





What is also noticeable is how the performance of the coconut hybrids fluctuate on a yearly basis. The graphs below visualizes this fluctuation for the three parameters highlighted above:








 

To summarize the graphs, the hybrid coconut yield performance picks up and gradually reaches a peak about 15 years after first bearing. Overall, both hybrids match each other in terms of production, with the MAWA marginally outperforming the MATAG in nut production. However, in terms of copra yield, the MATAG soundly beats the MAWA, especially in the first 15 years of production. Bunch production is very much static, except for a few years where severe drought had been experienced in the trial plots. 




Throughout the evaluation period, yield performance tended to fluctuate. However, this type of fluctuation is actually quite typical of coconuts; after a year with high productivity, the next year will typically experience a drop in yield. In addition, environmental stressors such as the annual drought season and El-Nino/La Nina cycles will have a dramatic impact upon yield outcome.

Comments

  1. Hi Michael J. Came across your excellent blog. You must be very knowledgeable and it seems you have a strong passion for coconuts. I have a developing interest in coconuts mainly from a cuisine perspective. My friends and I would really love to learn more about coconuts and how different varieties, terroir, process and so on may affect taste. Please let me know if you would be agreeable to meeting up and talking coconuts! Please get in touch!

    Chan Wai
    012 2707726

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good day Chan Wai. I'm not sure how much help I can be... as a commercial breeder, we tend to focus more on the industrial aspect of the coconut, such as yield and oil quantity. Taste is only of minor importance in most cases.

      Where are you based at currently? I am in Sarawak.

      Delete
    2. That being said, the company I was attached with previously did attempt to breed higher quality tender coconuts for drinking. Specifically, we focused on the Aromatic Green Dwarf (a.k.a. "Pandan" coconut). The evaluation parameters should be applicable for other coconut varieties as well.

      Delete
  2. Hi Michael J.! Thanks for your reply. I am based in KL at the moment. It seems like no one I have met (from market stall holders to agricultural people) are able to make the link with how it tastes and how we can best understand that. Honestly, it would just be great to just chat about coconuts and get your perspective from the agriculture side. At the moment it is more a fascination but hopefully we can use that knowledge and apply it in the culinary world. I just wonder that we have so many wonderful natural products and why we don't make the link between such factors as varietals and terroir with taste more often. That's where I am coming from. I will be happy to give you a call or if I am heading to east Malaysia, meet up with you, or if you are heading this way, would be great to connect. Let me know what works for you. Thank you so much for getting back in touch!

    CW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good day CW,

      I'm afraid with my research work right now makes it impossible to set a definite schedule or timeline. And since a lot of my work requires me to be in remote settings for short periods at a time, I don't think communication by phone would be feasible. If you like, you can email me at JMPonniah(at)yahoo.com regarding any queries.

      As for why the link with terroir and taste has not been made... well, it is mostly due to cost and demand. I know the movement is quite active in the UK and US, but it is stagnant in Asia. Part of the reason is that doing that link between terroir and taste is time consuming, and ultimately a costly affair. What kind of premium are we wiling to pay for this? Or do we consider this an integral aspect of the product, and thus not something we are willing to pay at all?

      Furthermore, while we clamor for the subtle differences afforded by growing food on different soils and climates, we still look for uniformity and consistency. This is the most challenging aspect. For items such as wine, coffee or tea, they all share a similar aspect that makes it feasible: they are lifestyle culinary items. What I mean is that people consume wine/coffee/tea not because they have to, but because it says something about who they are. It is hard to envisage something similar happening for coconuts.

      Delete
    2. But of course, that does not mean it cannot be done. So maybe you could try some of the following, just to get a feel of things. I would suggest that you first focus on varietal differences first, before moving onto the far more subtle differences resulting from terroir.

      Coconut varieties to try:
      (i) Malayan Red Dwarf
      (ii) Malayan Yellow Dwarf
      (iii) MATAG hybrid tender nut
      (iv) Malayan Tall
      (v) Pandan tender nut

      Use the Malayan Tall as the baseline for standard Asian coconut water, and the Pandan variety as the premium gauge.

      When consuming the coconut water, try to do so in the cooler part of the day (early morning, or late evening), and drink no more than 150ml for each variety per session. Cleanse you palate with mineral water and dry wheat cracker. Do not taste the coconut flesh while tasting the coconut water; do this after you've cleansed your palate.

      Things to look for:
      (i) Coconut aroma.
      You should get a mild hit of coconut smell with really fresh nuts, especially with the tall varieties. The kernel, if the nut is young, should be soft but firm, with a slight crunch. If it is jelly like, the nut is too young; if hard, then it is too old.

      With the Malayan tall, you will have a moderate to strong santan smell; with the Yellow and Red dwarfs, this smell is often absent, and instead a somewhat sweetish-sourish scent is present. The MATAG hybrid will have a faint scent only. The Pandan will often have a (sic) pandan smell, that can be sometimes sickly sweet. If the Pandan coconut does not bear this smell, then you have been sold the wrong variety (possibly a regular Green Dwarf, which looks exactly like the Pandan coconut).

      The kernel taste will also be quite different. With the tall variety, you will taste a strong, coconut taste, almost santan like but with a definite nutty taste to it, almost like raw walnut. If it is young enough, the kernel will taste sweet. The dwarf varieties do not have very good tasting kernels, but if you have tender nuts (which is normally the case), they will also taste pleasantly sweet, some coconut taste, but with very little other flavor. Take note about which variety taste better (many people claim the Red dwarf taste sweeter and richerthan the Yellow). The Pandan will, as its name says, have a pandan taste to everything.

      (ii) Sweetness.
      Not all coconuts will taste sweet. This depends on how much water it receives while growing. Typically, the larger the coconut, the less sweetness it will have. So always choose nuts that are about the size of a honeydew melon. It should contain about 450ml to 700ml of water; anything more, and the water will usually taste insipid. Use the Pandan coconut as a gauge, since its sweetness index (Brix value) is usually above 7. The Malayan tall has a Brix value of around 3.

      (iii) Acidity and bitterness
      This is a very subtle taste, but it brings out the sweetness of the coconut water. Look for the acidity while sampling the water; you should find it more pronounced with the dwarf varieties compared to the talls. The talls however will carry a slight astringency and bitterness compared to the dwarfs.


      That's for a start. Once you have familiarized yourself to those taste profiles, you can then start looking for the more subtle flavor profiles.

      All the best!

      Delete
  3. Hi Michael! Thanks for your reply and really appreciate the response. I am just acknowledging your reply and letting you know I will direct communication through the email you provided. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Michael, You are in which part of sarawak? I'm from Miri, Sarawak. Are there any Matag hybrid for sell?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, I am now back to Semenanjung, but was in Kuching for the past 3 years. And I'm sorry, I do not produce MATAG seedlings myself. I used to be a plant breeder for the company that produced them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sry for the late reply.. I thought of meeting up with you to discuss somemore. What is the company you help them produced, at which part of sarawak?

      Delete
  6. Good day Charles. The company is based in Teluk Intan, Perak. The name is United Plantations Bhd. They are not based in Sarawak, but they did have a supply agreement with DOA to produce and ship MATAG seedlings to Sarawak. I'm not sure what has happened with the supply agreement, but it seems that there was a problem and the supply of seedlings were diverted to other state DOA.

    You could try asking the DOA officer at Kuching about this matter. I believe if your requirement is large enough (i.e. 1 container load), DOA could put in a request on your behalf. But please do verify first. Sometimes they tell companies one thing, but mean another thing. If I'm not mistaken, the problem before was lack of nursery space at DOA.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Michael can we buy the seedling directly from United Plant ? I just bought 3 acre of land . Are you keen to be a freelance consultant for my land for planting coconut ?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good day Alex.

    Yes, you can buy seedlings directly from United Plantations, but only if they have excess materials to sell. They currently have an arrangement with DOA where they sell their MATAG hybrid seednuts to DOA, less whatever amount they need for replanting, supply planting etc. Often times, they would have excess seedlings compared to their requirements. Not too many, around a few hundred or so only.

    If Pandan coconuts, then that would be much easier to purchase. Again, their first priority are their own Pandan coconut plantations. But usually, they will have a couple thousand excess Pandan coconut seednuts available, which they will sell to outside buyers.

    As for freelance consultation... thank you for the offer, but unfortunately with the amount of work I am currently involved in right now, it will be quite difficult for me to juggle so many things at once. But let me look again at what I'm handling, and get back to you this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the reply Michael . My email is syeanho@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good day Alex. I promised to get back to you, and I am afraid with what I have now, I will not be able to commit to any other projects. But feel free to ask any questions you may have, I will answer them if I can, or direct you to someone who may have the answers.

      Delete
  10. I check with my friend from Mardi jalan kebun shah Alam . In order to buy and get subsidy from doa you need at least 30 acres of land . Buying from Utd plant will be a better option .

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey Michael...

    I'm actually currently buying random coconuts from vendors along the streets of Kota Kinabalu as I bottle the water and resell it.

    Was wondering what type of coconut yields the most water as I am planning to plant some for the future.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Benjamin,

    Based on the studies that were done, tall varieties centered around Southeast Asia and South Asia tend to give higher water volumes. This includes their hybrid offspring. Among the varieties of notable yield are the Philippine Tagnanan, and the Malayan Tall (around 800ml per nut respectively). However, the typical nut yield of these varieties are far lower compared to their hybrid offsprings (i.e. 10,000 nuts for Malayan Tall vs. 22,000+ nuts for MATAG). Therefore, it would be best if you could plant hybrid (MATAG) seedlings.

    If hybrids cannot be found, and I understand that there is acute shortage over in Sabah and Sarawak, then I would suggest you go for dwarf varieties. You would most likely find the Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) in great abundance, but also try to get as much Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) as possible, since the water of this variety is typically sweeter than the MYD. If you are lucky enough, you might find a good supply of the Pandan coconut seedlings, which should be treated as a premium dwarf breed (however, I also understand that the Pandan coconut is in short supply in Sabah and Sarawak as well).

    There are a number of advantages going this route:
    (i) Dwarf coconut varieties produce first commercial crop at 3.5 years age
    (ii) They have a slower height increment, which makes harvesting easier, and
    (iii) You can plant a higher density of palms per hectare (i.e. around 220-250/ha for dwarf vs 178/ha for hybrid, and 120/ha for pure bred tall)

    Now the volume per nut for dwarf variety will be far lower (typically 450ml-600ml), although this is compensated by their tolerance towards crowding, and moderately high nut yield (about 15,000 nuts/hectare/year).

    However, please note that while coconut water yield does vary according to the variety of coconut, there is the additional factor of nut size. As a general guide, as the number of nuts per bunch increases, the size of the nut shrinks. There is also the matter of coconut water storage and quality. If I remember correctly, there was a research paper that highlighted that Tall varieties tend to produce a more stable coconut water, i.e. the sweetness and taste is retained for 3-4 days after harvesting even when kept at room temperature. The coconut water from dwarf varieties tend to degrade rapidly, and lose taste within 2-3 days if kept at room temperature. Chilling the water at around 12C-16C will significantly improve stability, up to 6 days, so do consider the need for a chill room.

    Warm regards,
    Michael J.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Michael, i am in coconut biscuit industry. May i know, the uniqueness about our local coconut.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good day Pui Ling. I am assuming by "local coconuts" you mean those varieties actively cultivated in our country.

    Here is a general list:
    1. Malayan Red Dward - Brix (sugar) index is higher in water and coconut meat compared to all other varieties, except for the Pandan coconut (which is a premium variety on its own).

    2. Malayan Tall - Signature coconut aroma is prominent in pure-breeds (normally found in East Coast states), and is most characterized in the unadulterated santan. Typical taste profile is a thick, creamy consistency almost like Greek yogurt, strong nutty taste, and the unmistakable coconut scent. Suitable to use for coconut ice cream making.

    3. MAWA - A hybrid coconut using the Malayan Dwarf and West African Tall, this variety actually produces a superior quality santan. The aroma and taste profile is very consistent and rich. Suitable for coconut ice cream making.

    4. Pandan coconut - The iconic premium tender drinking coconut. However, it has very little use outside of being a drinking nut, and for flavoring coconut ice cream, or making whole-coconut jelly. Drying the coconut meat actually reduces the pandan taste and smell, makes the flesh rubbery.

    Hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello from Kuantan, Michael. Dzul here.

    Can you please drop me your email address as I would like to get your input on setting up my own coconut plantation. I can be reached at : hyperbaricperson@gmail.com. Thanks in advance & have a great day ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello from Kuantan, Michael. Dzul here.

    Can you please drop me your email address as I would like to get your input on setting up my own coconut plantation. I can be reached at : hyperbaricperson@gmail.com. Thanks in advance & have a great day ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  17. My name is Suriya Moorthy. I am doing some research on Pandan coconuts (Green Aromatic Dwarf, AROD) and saw your write-ups in the internet , which is most informative.

    Is it possible for you to share with me the parental lines of the Pandan coconut? How is the seed produced?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Michael, I am Jason, I just wanted to know where can I find large production of Red-Dwarf-Coconut and Yellow-Dwarf-Coconut? around KL area or near Johor or melaka or Perak? I doing this business, so I would like to cooperate with these farm who produce those 2 kinds

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Michael, I am Jason, I just wanted to know where can I find large production of Red-Dwarf-Coconut and Yellow-Dwarf-Coconut? around KL area or near Johor or melaka or Perak? I doing this business, so I would like to cooperate with these farm who produce those 2 kinds

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi michael
    Where can i get matag coconut seeding ?
    Im currently residing in Sabah
    Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gday MJ
    Your articles n blog are very informative. I enjoyed reading your study n findings. I started trading coconuts for tgevlical market. Looking at the mawa n matag from indon.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gday MJ
    Your articles n blog are very informative. I enjoyed reading your study n findings. I started trading coconuts for tgevlical market. Looking at the mawa n matag from indon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you do have the seedlings for matag, please let me know.

      Thank you.

      Delete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Captdraj,

    Did you mean that you do trading for matag / mawa coconuts within Malaysia and Indonesia?

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Michael.
    I would like invest in coconut planting plantation and
    would like get u advise and consult. Pla contact me at alexchan333555@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Useful Information, your blog is sharing unique information....
    Thanks for sharing!!!
    best agricultural software supplier
    farm accounting services

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have tasted AROD. i just wonder why they call it Aromatic when it doesn't even have an aroma?
    is AROD different from Nam Wan, Nam Hom, & Coco Pandan?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi guys, I am currently very new to coco plantation and I have a afew acres willing to put into good use for coconut plantation. Recently, I have visited johor state of department of agriculture. The lady recommended matag for 40RM- 50RM per seed for higher yield but subjected availability(shortage). That is quite expensive though compare to MRB,MRD and Pandan is 4 RM and 11 RM respectievely. Well, I am attracted to Pandan as it has an aroma taste and cheaper and availability is better also. However, matag has a higher yield. I am in delima to choose the varieties. I need some guidance here as you choosing the right variety and seed supplier would determine the outcome of the coconut. I hope, someone can provide me some guidence and lead me to correct direction to look at coconut plantation. Email is xehbao@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tacu Nan is thailand coconut she have also recommended me, however getting the real seed would be diffcult.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey I’m Martin Reed,if you are ready to get a loan contact.Mr Benjamin via email: lfdsloans@lemeridianfds.com,WhatsApp:+1 989-394-3740 I’m giving credit to Le_Meridian Funding Service .They grant me the sum 2,000,000.00 Euro. within 5 working days. Le_Meridian Funding Service  is a  group investors into pure loan and debt financing at the  returns of 1.9% to pay off your bills or buy a home Or Increase your Business. please I advise everyone out there who are in need of loan and can be reliable, trusted and capable of repaying back at the due time of funds.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear all,

    This is Mohammed from Sultanate of Oman. I am intending to take part in one of the biggest palm plantation project in my country. I am looking for a technical partner who has massive experience in this field to provide expert engineers and required materials . Automatic irrigation system will be a part of this project.

    PlEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANY COMPANY CAN CONTROL THIS PART OF PRJECT.

    THANK YOU

    REGARDS
    MOHAMMED
    PH NO: +96896388891
    EMAIL: MOHAMMED@BATTYHAMOODGROUP.COM

    ReplyDelete
  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

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