07/11/2011 (The Star) - Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), which has 18 oil palm estates, is targeting to carry out new planting and replanting on 6,360ha next year.

Chairman Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said that Salcra had set aside RM53mil for its oil palm development projects next year.

“Salcra is self-sufficient in project financing. Our target is to carry out between 4,000ha and 6,000ha of new planting and replanting activities every year,” he said after the board's meeting at its headquarters in Kota Samarhan near here.

However, Jabu, who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture, said Salcra might not be able to meet its annual target due to the shortage of contractors to carry out land clearing and planting activities.

Jabu: Salcra’s aim is for all its
estates to yield at least 14 tonnes
per hectare per year

As Sarawak's largest public sector oil palm planter, Salcra is traditionally involved in the joint development of native customary rights (NCR) land with landowners.

Its 18 estates are located in southern Sarawak, mostly in Bau, Lundu, Serian, Saribas, Kalaka and Saratok.

Jabu said Salcra's fresh fruit bunches (FFB) production this year was expected to increase by 18,000 tonnes to 601,000 tonnes.

For the first 10 months, production rose by about 15,000 tonnes to 491,000 compared with the corresponding period last year.

He said Salcra's aim was for all its estates to yield at least 14 tonnes per hectare per year, adding that most estates had exceeded the target.

“The productivity and yield of the estates depend on the type of soil, topography and accessibility,” he said.

Jabu said Salcra had recently launched a campaign to collect loose palm fruits as it was not only a good plantation management practice but would also improve the income of the participating landowners.

Loose fruits contribute between 5% and 7% to Salcra's total FFB production.

Salcra spends RM60mil to RM70mil a year on fertiliser.

He said Salcra was finding ways to address the shortage of plantation workers, adding that it required another 640 harvesters to ensure that FFBs were harvested on time.

Jabu said Salcra would pay out nearly RM100.9mil in dividends this year to 16,374 eligible participating landowners.

This year's dividends are the biggest ever, nearly 40% higher than the RM73mil paid out in 2010.