The Basics of Starting a New Coconut Plantation
The Basics of Starting a New
Coconut Plantation
I have been receiving quite a few requests
of late regarding information in setting-up a coconut plantation. While I would
love to write a comprehensive coverage of all aspects involved in establishing
a coconut plantation, it will be an enormous undertaking, and something that
cannot be covered simply in blog posts.
Instead, I will give some basics of starting a new coconut plantation, the key cost elements and man-power management requirements.
Alright then, let's get down to it.
There are a number of important stages
when attempting to set up a successful coconut plantation. Now, a lot of people
may think: “What’s so difficult? Just look for a germinated coconut, dig a
hole, and plant it!”
Well, that method may work if all you
want is a coconut tree, or if the coconuts are meant to be ornamental plants.
But for a thriving, production coconut plantation, extra care and consideration
will be needed.
A
summary of these steps and stages are as follows:
Stage A: Preparing the
coconut seedlings
As any serious agriculturist will tell
you, getting the right planting materials is critical to the success or failure
of crop production. This is even more important when it comes to perennial tree
crops such as coconuts, since once the coconut palm is planted it becomes a 25
to 30 year-long commitment. Even if one is willing to correct the planting
mistakes, it would have been 4-5 years along before any serious crop production
issues are detected. And unlike many other tree crops where you can graft a
superior variety onto the mediocre stock, and therefore change the variety of
crop, this technique does not work with coconut palms. If a palm was to be
replaced, it would have to be supplanted with another coconut seedling; and the
waiting game starts over again.
So, I have to stress this point: get
your coconut seedlings right. It will save you from a lot of headaches later
on.
Step 1: Choosing the right
variety
There are a great many varieties of coconuts available to growers in the tropics, but broadly speaking, they can be classified into three general group: Tall, hybrids, and Dwarf. Each group has its own merit, and each cultivar within the group has its own unique feature that adds to its economic value.
But for most smallholders, the real
economic value in coconut is through the sale of tender drinking nuts, i.e. young coconuts with a high volume of
sweet coconut water, and soft pulpy endosperm. As such, coconuts from the
hybrid and Dwarf groups are of greater relevance to smallholder, given the
shorter stature, ease of management and harvest, and quicker fruit bearing.
In Malaysia, the most popular hybrid
variety is the MATAG hybrid coconut.
The MATAG is a multipurpose coconut variety, being a good variety for producing
tender drinking nuts, as well as mature coconuts for the production of coconut
milk. The husk fibers are also dense, making it suitable for production of
coir. Supply of seedlings can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture.
However, I have been made to understand that the supply is limited, and usually
fully booked by farmers’ cooperatives.
MATAG hybrid coconut
The other popular hybrid variety is the
MAWA hybrid coconut. However, production
of seedlings is limited, since the MATAG has pretty much replaced the MAWA as
the premium variety of coconut. However, it is sometimes possible to get
planting materials from DOA, if you are lucky. The MAWA does not produce very
large coconuts or tender nuts with a very high volume of coconut water; however
it does produce a high quality and quantity of coconut milk, which is also very
fragrant and sweet.
MAWA hybrid coconut
But the premium coconut of choice for
tender drinking nut production in Malaysia comes from a Dwarf variety: the Aromatic Green Dwarf, a.k.a. the Pandan coconut. As its names say, the sweet
coconut water is highly aromatic, with a strong resemblance to the scent of lightly
bruised pandanus leaves. The medium-sized nuts good volume of coconut water,
ranging around 600ml per nut, and the soft endosperm has a nice jelly-like
consistency. This premium variety fetches a very high ex-farm price, ranging
around RM2.50 for a good sized nut. Retail prices often reach RM6.00 per nut,
even at roadside stalls and eateries. Probably due to its popularity, it is
hard to find seedlings in large quantities from a single source; the best
sources are from Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Kajang (Selangor), and MARDI
research stations (the best is Teluk Intan, Perak).
Young Pandan coconut palms
More common, and in fact often frowned
upon, are the Malayan Dwarf varieties. There are two important varieties: the Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), and the Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD). Both look
quite similar, except that the MRD produces fronds with reddish/orange rachis
and red-orange nuts, while the MYD produces yellow-green rachis and bright
yellow nuts. Both varieties are very common place in Malaysia, especially the
MYD. They produce medium sized nuts that are either bright yellow or
red-orange, and the coconut water of both are sweetish-sour tasting, and
carries a faint buttery coconut aroma. The endosperm is often firmer, as the
coconuts from these varieties are often harvested at an older age. Since these
varieties are so commonplace in Malaysia, not many vendors actually sell fresh
tender whole nuts; it is usually sold in the form of cups or jugs, with added
sugar to increase the sweetness of the drink. You will usually find them being
sold in the pasar malam and roadside stalls.
Young MRD coconut palms
There are a few more aspects to
consider when choosing the right coconut variety, but I shall not touch on
those areas, since doing so will amount to me writing a book. What should be
kept in mind is that while coconuts are often synonymous with the seaside, they
actually do far better on inland and coastal alluvial soils, not sand. If you
only have coastal (sandy) soils to plant, then go with only hybrids or Tall
varieties; growth and yield of Dwarfs are negatively affected by the porous
soil and saline water.
Step 2: Setting up a coconut
seedling nursery
This is an aspect in coconut planting that seems to be often neglected. After all, coconuts seem to grow so commonly and with ease in this country.
However, as with all crops of economic value, starting the crop on the right foot is the most important step towards a successful farming enterprise. If one is unable or not willing to make the effort to do so, then they should not venture into agriculture in the first place.
It would impractical for most coconut
planters to germinate their own coconut seedlings, since doing this would
require a lot of time, effort, space and technical expertise. Thus, it would be
best for the coconut farmer to source his/her coconut "seednuts" from
a certified seed producer. I have already mentioned few previously.
Usually, seednuts are sold as
emergents, which can be seen in the picture as follows:
These would have a growing point of
about 30cm height (up to emergent leaf), and very few emerging roots at the base. With certified seed
producers, culling and selection of salable seednuts would have already been conducted,
so the farmer may buy such materials with confidence. Seednuts will be sold as
bareroots, and the farmer will need to purchase and prepare his/her coconut
seedlings at least 1 year prior to field planting.
Seednuts that are purchased must first
be transplanted into polybags and allowed to grow to the ideal field planting
sizes. The following series of transplanting steps show how this should be
done:
Step 1: Place seednut into polybag half-filled with soil
Step 2: Top up with more soil
Step 3: Firm down the soil, leaving a little bit of husk exposed
Polybag sizes should be 45cm x 45cm
(lay flat), and need to be 500-gauge black with perforations. Do note that for
optimized transplanting of seednuts, the polybags should be half-filled 3 days
in advance and watered daily, to allow settling of the soil. Once seednuts have
been transplanted, make sure to water the seedling adequately. Each seedling
will require 2,500ml of water per day in the absence of rain, which can be
achieved by water for 30 minutes twice a day (morning & evening) using a sprinkler
system. Otherwise, hand-watering using a measured water can is advised. Spacing
in the nursery should be 1m x 1m equilateral triangle, amounting to 4,000 plams
per acre. But since you will only need less than 100 palms for each acre (71 seedlings
if planting hybrid + 10% for supply planting; 88 seedlings if planting Dwarf +
10% for supply planting), you should adjust this figure accordingly. Seedlings
are maintained in the nursery up to 1 year before field planting.
Temporary coconut seedling nursery, 6-months old from sowing
Yes, I know that a lot of farmers don't
bother with these steps; but there are many good reasons for keeping this
practice. Not only will the older and more mature seedlings be quicker to
establish, they are also less susceptible to stunting and transplanting shock
in the field compared to seednuts that are planted directly into the ground. In
particular, the root system of a 1-year old seedling is better developed and
robust, compared to a 6-month old seednut.
Direct planting of seednuts into the field.
As can be seen from old palm behind, no uniform growth
You have to bear in mind that every
palm you plant is a 25-30 year investment, so make sure the first steps are the
right ones, or you will be stuck with a 25-year long mistake.
Stage B: Field planting
Once the seedlings have attained the suitable planting age, the next stage involves preparing the field. This process is quite straight forward, the only few crucial things being the planting system used, and preparation of the seedlings prior to field planting operation.
Step 3: Preparation of
seedlings for field planting
12-month to 15-month old coconut seedlings
designated for field planting must be prepared at least 2-3 weeks beforehand. This
reason for this step is to minimize transplanting shock experienced by seedling
once transferred into the field. Ideally, seedlings should be of a similar
height; any that are obviously under-sized should be set aside in favor of more
robust siblings.
To prepare the seedlings for field
planting, pruning of the basal fronds must be carried out, followed by
root-pruning of half the basal area (a semi circle, taking care not to cut the polybag) at least 2-3 weeks
before field planting. Watering must be intensified on the day when root
pruning is carried out.
Two or three days prior to field
planting, seedling fronds are trimmed in diamond shape, and tied. The balance of 50% roots are pruned one
day before dispatching the seedling into the field for planting, and must be
watered thoroughly.
When moving the seedlings, it is
important to ensure that they are handled with care to prevent damaging the
nursery bags. The correct way is to hold the seedlings whilst supporting the
base of the bag. Thus, there must be sufficient labor for
the operation of moving seedlings from the nursery to the field.
Step 4: Land preparation and
spacing
With coconuts, timing when to plant your palms is important. Normal planting months are in April to May, or September to December. These are the typical monsoon seasons in Malaysia, where there will be adequate rainfall during field planting, thus ensuring that your palms do not suffer from transpiration stress. Do note that for areas typically hit hard by the monsoon rains (eg. East Coast states), it would best to plant during the less severe monsoon months, typically during April to May.
Cleared and prepared field, reading for planting coconut seedlings
Same field two months later, after coconut seedlings had been planted
Field clearing should commence 2 months ahead of the target planting date. Brush and unwanted vegetation should be felled, cleared and burned. Two type of row plantings are normally found in coconut plantation, but the most efficient method in Malaysia is known as the "double-hedged row". This planting system facilitates in-field mechanization, allowing efficient grass mowing, fertilizer spreading, and also evacuation of harvest coconuts. The following dimensions are used in a double-hedged row system:
Talls and hybrid coconuts cultivars:
Distance (row-to-row): Cambered area
|
8.5m
|
Distance (row-to-row): Field drain
|
6.5m
|
Distance (in a row): Palm to Palm
|
7.5m
|
Dwarf and Pandan coconut cultivars:
Distance (row-to-row): Cambered area
|
7.25m
|
Distance (row-to-row): Field drain
|
6.25m
|
Distance (in a row): Palm to Palm
|
5.93m
|
Field drains of dimension 4'x3'x2' alternate with scupper drain of dimension 3'x2'x1'. Two rows of coconut are planted per drain block.
This results in coconut palms that are planted at a density of 178 palms/ha under the double-hedged planting system for tall and hybrid coconut palms, and 220 palms/ha for dwarf and Pandan coconut palms.
Cover crops, such as mucuna, are often
planted to protect the bare soil of newly planted fields. This helps retain
soil moisture content, and when the cover crop dies back, adds back organic
matters and soil nutrients locked deep underground to the top soil. It would be
a good practice to plant cover crops, but maintaining this will add additional
costs to the grower, as the cover crop has to be pruned and cut back each month
in order to prevent it from choking the young palms. Once the palms have
reached 5-6 years of age, the cover crop can be killed off, either through the
use of weedicides, or by natural shading.
Immature coconut field with mucuna cover crop
Immature coconut field with no cover crop
Stage C: Upkeep and
management of coconut plantation
The initial years of establishment would see you weeding back the cover crop (if you've planted them), mowing down the grasses, and applying fertilizer for your young palms. After 3-4 years, your young palms will comes into first bearing, and this is when you will first begin to harvest the fruits of your labor.
Step 5: General maintenance
of coconut plantation
Coconut plantations are fairly bare of
grasses and weeds during the high productivity years (years 8-18). However,
during the immature and late years, when sunlight penetration is high, weeds
will be more abundant. Nonetheless, it is a good practice not to kill off all
the weeds and grass, but instead to manage and crop them down. This helps to
hold the soil and retain moisture, house beneficial insects, and keep the palm
in a good, healthy state. Thus, mowing down the grass and leafy weeds is the
suggested option; for broadleaf shrubs, contact weedicides could be used.
Note the mowed grass in this MRD coconut field
Chemical fertilizer should be applied
to supplement inherent soil nutrients to provide a steady supply of balanced
nutrient range required for the healthy growth of palms. The quantity and
quality of the fertilizer applied, and their timing and placement, are
important aspects to be considered to ensure proper realization of this input.
The manuring regimes are
as follows:
(i)
2kg Urea
(ii)
2kg Muriate of potash (MOP)
(iii)
1kg Rock phosphate (RP)
Do note that the rates above are for
each palm, per year. You will need to split the amount according to how many
round of fertilizer application is carried out in a year. It is recommended
that at least 4 rounds be carried out, i.e. 500g urea + 500g MOP + 250g RP per
application; but preferably, 8 rounds is ideal , i.e. 250g urea + 250g MOP +
125g RP per application.
When manuring, avoid spreading the
fertilizer to broadly. It is important that the fertilizers are applied within
the root zone area. One trick that many growers do is to spread some of the
fertilizer over the frond heap stacked at the inter-palm area. As the frond
heap traps a lot of moisture and organic nutrients, coconut roots tend to congregate
beneath the heap. Thus, applying some fertilizer onto the heap would target the
coconut roots there, thereby feeding the palms more efficiently.
Note the spread-out frond heap between each palm.
The center is a scupper (shallow) drain
Another important note is that the
fertilizer rates above is not fixed, and will vary according to soil type,
productivity, foliar nutrient status, age, and yield targets. But of course,
not all growers will have access to the necessary analytical equipment, so engage
a government agriculture extension officer for further advice when necessary.
Coconuts are normally self-pruning,
meaning that dead fronds and bunch stalks will dry and fall on their accord.
However, it is still a good practice to remove them off the palm where they don’t
fall naturally, and stack them neatly on the inter-palm heap. There is great
value in keeping this practice; as the dead fronds and bunch stalks break down,
they actually release micronutrients back into the soil. This helps increase
the soil nutrient content and biomass over time, which will further improve
your coconut palm’s health. In addition, such frond heaps act as moisture
traps, and help provide an alternate source of moisture to palm roots. As
mentioned earlier, fertilizers may also be applied to this zone, as the coconut
root mass tends to congregate here, thereby ensuring that your fertilizer is
targeted to the roots of the palms.
Step 6: Harvesting of
coconuts
(a) Harvesting of tender nuts
Tender
nuts are harvested when the nuts are about 7 months old. Harvesting intervals
are 17-21 days per round, depending on the preferences of the buyers and the
consumers. This is usually pertaining to the thickness and harness of the soft
coconut flesh; at 17 days, the flesh are very jelly-like, whereas at 21 days,
there is some firmness to the flesh.
During
harvesting, the harvester must remove all dried fronds and place them along the
field drain edges, or cut them into smaller section and place them in the
inter-palm spaces
Harvesting
operation is a two-man job. One person climbs up the palms using a sturdy
ladder, and attaches a harvesting harness (hook and rope) onto the bunch of
coconut. The person below pulls the harness tout, to give some tension onto the
bunch, and the stalk of the bunch is then cut and freed from the palm by the
person on top. The person below will then carefully lower the bunch of coconut
onto the ground.
Harvesting tender nuts from a tall coconut palm.
Note the rope being guided by the harvester, and the hooked bunch being lowered on the right
This
method of harvesting ensures that the tender young coconuts are not bruised or
damaged, since this will not only affect the appearance of the nuts, but any
internal damages will cause the nuts to spoil fast. Bunches harvested this way
will have a shelf life of 4-5 days if kept in chilled room.
The harvested bunch being safely landed onto the ground.
Notice the hook attached to the rope.
(b) Harvesting of mature nuts
For
mature nuts, coconuts are plucked when their exocarp (skin) turns fully brown. For
hybrids and Dwarfs, harvesting is done every 36 days (10 rounds per year);
whereas for MAWA, which are late germinators, harvesting intervals are 45 days
per cycle (8 rounds per year).
The
harvesting operation consists of plucking the ripe nuts from the palms, or
shaking them loose from the bunch using a long pole.
Harvesting mature brown coconuts using a long pole
Care must
be given! Since there have been cases when loose mature coconuts have fallen on
people’s heads, leading to serious head injuries and death. It is suggested
that safety helmets be provided when dealing with especially tall palms.
General costings of setting up a coconut plantation
The cost to set-up a coconut plantation will obviously vary according to location. The key variables are usually tied to the land (eg. terrain and contour, soil type), and also farm input costs (eg. labor costs, fertilizer prices, planting material costs). Thus, the following costings should be taken only as an approximation to the costs of starting a coconut plantation:
Seedling Cost:
Bare-root seednut from seed garden |
RM 2,500 (RM10 x 250 pc)
|
Soil, polybag, fertilizer, pest & disease etc.
|
RM 1,500 (for 250 pc)
|
Cost of planting size | RM 4,000 |
Coconut Planting Costs to Maturity:
Year 1: Land preparation, planting
|
RM 8,000/ha
|
Year 2: General upkeep of immature
palms
|
RM 2,200/ha
|
Year 3: General upkeep of immature
palms
|
RM 2,500/ha
|
Year 4: General upkeep of immature
palms
|
RM 2,500/ha
|
Cost to maturity
|
RM 15,200/ha
|
Mature Coconut Annual Costings:
Activity
|
Cost/ha
|
Weeding
|
RM 200.00
|
Manuring / fertilizer application
|
RM 1,400.00
|
Pest & disease management
|
RM 31.00
|
Pruning / sanitation
|
RM 15.00
|
Upkeep of roads, paths & bridges
|
RM 90.00
|
Upkeep of drains
|
RM 35.00
|
Sundries & Misc.
|
RM 65.00
|
Harvesting & collection
|
RM 100,00
|
Annual costs after maturity
|
RM 1,936.00
|
Do note however that the ideal size for
a profitable coconut plantation is at least 4 hectares (10acres), and that the
breakdown above has been pared down to fit 1 hectare. Also, costs may vary by
location, local labor and equipment costs, etc. Thus, the figures above serve
merely as a guide.
Typical yields of a mature coconut
plantation are 23,000 nuts/ha/year; but for your first 4 years of crop
production (after the 3-year immature stage), yields would range around 10,000
nuts/ha/year only. Thus, the average cost factor for the first 4 years of crop
production will be about RM0.68 per nut; thereafter, the cost of production
will fall sharply to around RM0.08 per nut. Therefore, assuming no additional
costs are incurred, a minimum sales price of RM1.00-RM1.50 is needed to break
even within the first 10 years.
Hopefully, this post will now give everyone some idea about what is involved with starting up a coconut plantation!
Hi Michael... firstly thanks for such a detailed right up.. was just wondering the figures given of about 15k plus for first 4 yrs till the is some income.. is this figures achiveable in this current times or are this figures of many years back?... is the 8k for land preparation and planting per hectare include the seedlings? Thanks again for the write up and hope to get some feedback soon...
ReplyDeleteGood day. To answer your question:
Delete1. Yes, these figures are a few years outdated, and costs would be a little different now. However, as I've noted, the cost will vary according to local situation, eg. the labor cost in the East Coast states of Malaysia is much lower compared to the West Coast, fertilizer cost in the West Coast is cheaper than the East Coast, etc. Hence, the figure I've posted here should be viewed as a ballpark figure only.
2. The land preparation and planting cost does not include the cost of seedlings. Thank you for asking the question, I think it would be beneficial for me to add in a costing aspect for the seedlings.
Depending on which option you choose (whether to raise your own seedlings, or direct purchase of field planting size), the cost will range between RM2,500 - RM5,000 for 250 Pandan coconut seedlings, assuming seedling cost range between RM10 to RM20 each.
Sorry detailed write up a great job
ReplyDeleteThanks for the quick reply... so basically add 5k to the first 4 yrs for seedling that brings cost to about 20k to 21k per hactare for first 4 years before maturity...is this a safe figure and would not defer much? What would be a max cost for first 4yrs just to be safe that we can be assured we wont run out of budget...
ReplyDeleteIs there a price for matag seedling that you know off?
After maturity the cost is about 2k per hactare... can i put that as a safe cost also that would include all possible expenditure... to be safe what is max yearly cost per hactare for after 4th year once matured?
Thanks for ur help i just want to know at maximum cost possible is the coconut plantation still viable...
Good day.
DeleteThe price for MATAG seedlings, if you purchase under JPPK farming scheme is about RM18 per seednut. Do not buy from outside sellers, which are not certified seed producers, even if their prices are cheap. Do take note that MATAG is a hybrid coconut variety, so if you take F2, F3, F4 etc. as how they are often marketed by these outside sellers, it will not be true to type. As far as I am aware, there are only 2 certified seed producers of MATAG, which is DOA/MARDI (in collaboration), and United Plantations Bhd.
Friend... there is no “safe” figure. There are a lot of risks in agriculture, such as continuous bad weather, sudden surge in pests/diseases, natural disasters etc., and any of these will inflate your costs. But, assuming that all variables are at normal levels, the land quality is good, the pest and disease pressure is acceptable, and manpower adequate etc., then the costs figure would be within range, with about 10% variance for unbudgeted direct costs (eg. need to hire extra workers due to higher than normal crop).
But to really answer your question, if you want to be safe, then have at least 2x the budget. If you think that is a lot: yes, it is. That is why there are more people doing other businesses, than going into smallholder farming. With most other businesses, you are playing dice with customers and clients, essentially human being with more predictable patterns. Your will power and determination to succeed only has to surpass the average person. In smallholder agriculture, especially one that is dependent on the land, you are playing dice with God on a daily basis. Your willpower and determination therefore has to at a God-like level.
Not to discourage you, but only to make you aware. If you go into smallholder agriculture, it must not be driven by interest; passion has to be the key driver. Interest will only keep you going as long as it is interesting to you; but passion will ensure you stay put through the blood, sweat, and tears. Literally speaking.
Good day, I am Eric from Sarawak. Thank you for the Info, very very useful, I have a 3 acres land, which take 30 minutes drive from my home. I am thinking to utilize it, and it already have road access to it. All i need is just to clear the land, drainage system, and construction cost then ready to go. However, the land size is just about 3 acres, do you recommend for coconut farming? will it be too small? Thank you again for so much infor. Appreciated it.
ReplyDeleteGood day Knightliness.
ReplyDeleteHonestly speaking, plantations are only truly profitable with a minimum of 10 hectares. Anything smaller than that, and the venture is not really worth the effort.
For eg., 1 hectare of coconuts produces around 22,000 nuts a year, which wholesales at RM0.60 per tender nut (for MATAG and tall-related varieties); that is equal to RM13,200 a year in gross revenue. I think it is possible to earn more working for someone else instead. But for 10 hectare, then you are talking about good money, since your gross revenue is around RM132,000 and even after deducting costs, you are looking at nett returns in the vicinity of RM100,000 a year (or about RM8,300 a month).
And the above has not factored in doing your own processing, eg. dehusking and packaging, which hikes up your coconut prices to around RM2.00+/- per nut wholesale.
So bottomline is, I would think that you should focus on some other crop if you have less than 10 hectares of land. Maybe short cycle crops like chili (1kg wholesale around RM5, 1 hectare produces about 6000kg every 5-6 month cycle).
Hi Michael, thank for your information . If you had realised, that price of one raw coconut can be sold 5rm to 7 rm or even 7.90 in some shopping outlet. I believed that coconut now is currently highly demanded in the market. More products such jelly coconut, branding coconut(http://www.hamona.com/hamona-the-premium-coconut) can make it to the market and now coco drink is also out in the market as new technology improve, that why people are very interested in coco nut now days. For hamona has received a substantial amount of funding from kickstarter. I think now day farming should not nice focus on quantity but also the quality. Rich people are willing to pay for higher price for fruit, as we see the cases in the japan fruit market. However, saying is always easier doing is always harder.In order to achieve such result, require preseverance, innovotion and different farming techiques. Sorry if I were sound abit challenging as I understand you are expert in coco nut industry.
DeleteMy view is small coconut plantation required survive required different technique/seeding to product better coconut plantation, in order to stay profitable.
Thank you!
Hello Michael,
DeleteI am Abdulai and I am living is West Africa in Sierra Leone. I have 452.5 hectares of land that I have started mixed tree cropping in. Reading your advices, have motivated me to do cocoanut farming in 400hectares.
Can you find me an investor that can come and join me in developing it?
I will be grateful.
This is my Email: bbbangura.abb@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +23276 334933
Good day, mike!! thanks for all the info and finally can see some 1 writes about coconut planting other than oil palm / durian :D..
ReplyDeleteif i were to lease some 5 hectares for coconut planting would it be still profitable and any idea what could be the land lease price? is there anything like a market value for such kind of crop usage land lease??
Good day KS Tan,
ReplyDeleteThere is no straight-forward answer for your question, as highlighted in my previous comments.
IF, the coconut farm is managed well, the market for tender nuts are secured with a good price structure (whether wholesale unprocessed or semi-processed), the yield performance is stable, and your overheads a managed properly, then yes, it is very possible for a 5 hectare coconut plantation to be profitable. Of course, what constitutes as "profitable" is also subjective, as the amount of work needed to earn that "profit" must commensurate with expectations, i.e. RM3,500 monthly nett returns does not seem as "profitable" for some if it involves laboring 6-7 hours a day under the hot and humid conditions of a plantation.
Private land lease prices will vary according to location and condition of the land. In some kampung areas of Terengganu for instance, you can get monthly lease rates of a few hundred ringgit a month per acre; in Selangor, the rates are often ranging around a few thousand ringgit per month. And no, the land lease does not depend on what kind of crop you will be cultivating. Landlords typically lease out the land on a "as is" basis, and may stipulate that no permanent structures can be built on said land.
If you are adamant to lease land for coconut cultivation, I would suggest that you deal directly with the state government / DOA / Jabatan Tanah & Galian / exco etc. instead. If you go that route, the land lease is typically very very cheap, but the land leased to you will be quite sizeable. There is often a clause in the land lease agreement where the investor (a.k.a. you) has to carry out some level of development in order for the lease agreement to be maintained. As I understand it, there are typically two types of agreement, one which is on a three-year fixed term contract (but usually only applicable to land where the government has already carried out some development, eg. access road, lighting etc.), and long-lease contracts typically up to 20 years period. If you could get ahold of the latter, then your coconut plantation venture will be secured.
Warm regards,
Michael J.
Hi - Can you talk about the pest problems - nematodes in the ground, fungus/bacteria on the trunks/leaves/nuts and insects - weevil/mites. I provide bio-pesticides (won an award 2016 in Germany for application of bio-pesticides in padi yield). I have been asked to propose solutions against the above and do not know that much about coconut. Padi I have some knowledge.
DeleteAnd thank you so much - knowledge shared is knowledge doubled. And I'm only too happy to share my 80 page padi research report that increase yield from 3 tons/ha to 11 tons/ha.
Cheers
where can i purchase the matag seedlings?
ReplyDeletesend info to bramha.singh@yahoo.com
DeleteHi Michael & fellow readers,
ReplyDeleteGerard here. I would like to know if saline sandy soil suitable for productive Pandan coconut plantation? And also if irrigation and watering of seawater viable option for productive coconut plantation in the sense of nutrient speaking? If yes, any recommended sequence for seawater watering?
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the detailed writeup, very informative. Do you provide consultation service for coconut plantation? if yes, pls send reply to shiawyee.ng@gmail.com
Thanks
Hi Michael, can you contact me at kelsensawh@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThankyou
Hi Michael, can you contact me at gary383@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteDear Mr Michael,
ReplyDeleteMy company is keen to venture into coconut planting. Can you contact me at email: ocsebay1@yahoo.com ?
Thank you,
Ong Chin Seng
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI did some research on Matag seedlings from internet, there are F1 and F2. I want to buy but i don't know how to identify which is matag F1, which is mawa or pandan, could you help me? I heard there were farmers got cheated.
And, do you know where can we attend for the matag coconut planting course?
Thank you in advance.
Billy Koh
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteA very informative write up for beginner, kindly email to sichong@email. com
We need to discuss further.
Rgds,
Ian Chong
sichong@ymail. com
ReplyDeletePlease contact me Mr.Micheal J.
ReplyDeleteIm planning to start a new coconut farm ,i need your help for the selection of the type of plant.
Please email me rlukshikan@gmail.com
hi Micheal,
ReplyDeleteMy company is planning to venture into coconut plantation business for a parcel of 300 acres land, do you provide consultant service? If yes, please contact me at leeveejean@gmail.com thanks
Hi Micheal J,
ReplyDeleteI am a Civil Eng. PE and want to get into farming - its retirement time. BUT I know nothing of farming and want to go all organic and clean......how to do it? You can email me too.
Nice for your write-up I am working professional from india in singapore, and looking to set-up coconut plantation in my hometown, you article is to the point.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, can you contact me at tzetien84@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThankyou
Can u pls email me cool89231@gmail.com.i nid your help if u domt mind sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Michael I would like to ask more info related with agriculture in Malaysia. Could you drop me an email envinetsolutions@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thank you. I'm a city dweller with no agricultural know-how or aspirations. Your post helped me appreciate coconuts and the risks farmers have to take so that I can enjoy them. I wonder if you could help me understand why some of the old, tall coconut palms are tilted (i.e. not vertical. Is it due to soil erosion? Disease? Wind?
Hi Micheal,
ReplyDeleteIs there any company selling Tacunan dwarft seeds in Malaysia?..or how do we import it from the philippines? is there any company/farm in Philippines that you would recommend if we want to visit the farm
Hi Micheal,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the post. My friend and I planning to start a new coconut farm. Could you drop me an email ttneoh123@gmail.com
Hi Micheal,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the detailed info you have provided. We have a small area of land planted with Oil Palm (30 acres). Our major issue is Ganoderma (Basal Stem Rot) disease which affects nearly 60% of our Oil Palm. I was told that BSR disease would not affect Coconut trees.
Q1. How true is it?
Another major problem is monkeys (macaques) at our land.
Q2. Will it damage the coconuts?
Q3. If so, what is the best option to prevent this?
Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.
Jai.
Dear Micheal,
ReplyDeleteI am planning to establish a large scale coconut plantation. I would like to get in touch you and my email address is cheeoswald@gmail.com
Thank you.
Chee
Nice blog..! I really loved reading through this article. Thanks for sharing such a amazing post with us and keep blogging...
ReplyDeletehectare value management systems
Hai, Thanks for the lot of Information, I am from india, Karnataka State, i want to know Dwarf variety is it suitable for the south indian climate with the Bore Well water. If so, what will the cost will incured to reach Bangalore. Pl. reply to email id is jayakumar1292@rediffmail.com
ReplyDeleteDear Micheal,
ReplyDeleteWe are planning to establish a 40 Ha pandan coconut plantation in Telaga Air, Kuching. DOA has done soil investigation and I would like to get in touch you for consultancy and my email address is scsmoon@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Regards
Simon
hi I was wondering where to purchase coconut seeds meant for plantation in Malaysia.
ReplyDelete0178571893 - Roy
Useful Information, your blog is sharing unique information....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!!
How Exchange Rates Affect Agricultural Markets
food safety management system
What do you think about pentagon planting of 5 palms together for higher yield and density, as described here: http://www.agricultureinformation.com/mr-m-k-renukarya-new-planting-method-improve-coconut-yield/
ReplyDeletehi I'm from maldives can these methods applicable for Maldives environment.
ReplyDeleteHi Micheal, i just send an email to you, if will be good if you can spend 5 min to read it. Looking forward to hear from you soon.
ReplyDeleteHey 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.
ReplyDeleteHi Micheal
ReplyDeleteMy company is planning to start 1000hect coconut plantation in Kalimantan Indonesia for virgin coconut oil.
I am currently working out the budget.
Can you recommend me with the best planning material and cost per nut including delivery cost.
Thank you so much
Best Regards
Sethu
We will raise our own nursery.
Hi Mr Micheal
ReplyDeleteThanks for such details right up .it is useful guideline for beginner to start coconut plantation. May l know what is the NPK requirement for immature (one year) palm ,if by leave analysis what is the ratio of NPK consider no nutrient deficiency. my email address teokl@kenso.com my
Dear all,
ReplyDeleteThis 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
I a farmer in Nigeria. Which Malaysian coconut variety is best for coconut oil production and how can I source it in Malaysia. Please send your response to davelong5000@yahoo.com also. Thanks for a good write up on coconut production.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnyone is still in contact with Michael of the Orient? hope he is okay...as he is not reply some of the questions for quite some time...
ReplyDeleteHi can someone pm me some coconut harvester contact ? House got 2 trees to harvest . 0192769576 . Thank you :)
ReplyDeletePlumbisimo is ranked amongst the most trusted gas fitting companies throughout Warrington. We have extensive experience in providing gas fitting services. We offer reliable gas fitting solutions that match all kinds of budgets, ensuring that projects, including big and small, get executed with perfection and precision. Our engineers are gas safe registered so you can be sure you are in the good hands.
ReplyDelete