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Nugget Botany’s Best-Kept Secret: Romance and Love-Life of Oil Palm
Harsh Battle of Oil Palm Against El Niño’s Scorching Fury
Hidden Engine of ESG: How Soil Health Will Make or Break the Palm Oil Sector’s Global Credibility
A recent article in e Star spotlighted the oil palm industry’s most formidable threat: Ganoderma boninense, the fungus behind Basal Stem Rot (BSR). O en dubbed the “zombie apocalypse” of plantations, Ganoderma spreads silently through roots and spores, devastating yields and pro ts. First noted in the 1980s, its reach has worsened dramatically—Sabah’s infection rate jumped from 2.7% to 8% within a decade, and current estimates suggest double-digit infection across Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ganoderma: Silent killers of oil palms
(10 March 2025)
Joseph Tek, a seasoned industry observer, consulted crop protectionist Chung Gait Fee and biotechnologist Dr. Wong Wei Chee to outline a battle plan grounded in rigorous eld experience. His prescription is clear: sanitation is king. Complete bole and residue removal before replanting can cut infection to 10%, whereas poor cleanup leads to rates as high as 40%. Annual scouting, quick removal of infected palms, and use of tolerant planting materials are essential. While some cling to unproven quick xes or soil mounding, Tek warns such tactics merely delay the inevitable. ere’s no silver bullet - just hard, disciplined work. Until science fully decodes Ganoderma’s biology and resistance pathways, planters must act decisively. In this war, either you control Ganoderma - or it controls you.
MPOC Criticises EU’s ‘Standard Risk’
Label on Malaysia Under Deforestation
Law
(22 May 2025)
e Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has strongly condemned the European Commission’s classi cation of Malaysia as a ‘standard risk’ country under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), calling the decision unfair and lacking transparency.
MPOC chairman Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen emphasised that the EU’s assessment ignored Malaysia’s signi cant strides in combating deforestation, including the mandatory Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certi cation scheme. “ e European Commission is well aware that Malaysia has a stronger environmental record than some EU member states, yet it granted them a ‘low risk’ rating. is apparent bias undermines trust and hinders cooperation,” he said.
MPOC CEO Belvinder Sron expressed deep disappointment, pledging to seek clarity on the EU’s benchmarking methodology. She highlighted Malaysia’s achievement in reducing primary forest loss by 65% between 2014 and 2023, with an additional 13% decline in 2024, citing data from Satelligence and Global Forest Watch. Belvinder warned that the ‘standard risk’ label disregards genuine progress and undermines the credibility of the country benchmarking system. Malaysia’s classi cation now means increased scrutiny on palm oil exports to Europe, despite its proven commitment to sustainable forestry. e EUDR aims to bar deforestation-linked products from the EU market, assigning risk categories to guide companies’ due diligence.
Borneo Post’s columnist Joseph Tek alerted the industry to once-minor pest, Tirathaba mundella (oil palm bunch moth), which is resurging in Malaysia, especially in peat-based estates in Sarawak and possibly spreading to Sabah. is moth thrives in hot, humid conditions and poor sanitation. Its larvae burrow into fruit bunches, leaving behind silk tubes and frass, can destroy over 50% of yield in badly infested areas.
Tirathaba mundella: e oil palm bunch thief
(5 April 2025)
Controlling T. mundella needs early detection and an integrated approach - sanitation, biological and chemical control. e current best practice is a rotational insecticide program alternating Chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) and Chromafenozide (Matric) every four months. ese target di erent pest mechanisms and cost about RM351.20 per hectare annually. Broad-spectrum insecticides like cypermethrin should be avoided as they harm pollinators. Eco-friendlier options like Bacillus thuringiensis are also under evaluation, though slower-acting. Trials are ongoing with insect growth regulators and traps for improved monitoring.
But the real challenge isn’t knowledge - it’s labour. With most resources focused on harvesting, pest control o en takes a back seat. Without proper sanitation and timely spraying, the pest thrives, escalating costs and slashing yields.
Delaying action invites long-term losses. e industry must act decisively with a comprehensive, well-resourced strategy - or risk deeper setbacks.
US Tari May Disrupt Exports, But Malaysia Holds Edge —
MPOB
(7 April 2025)
e newly imposed 24% US tari on Malaysian palm oil may cause short-term disruption, but Malaysia retains a competitive edge, says Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir.
He noted that Malaysia’s lower tari - compared to Indonesia’s 32% and ailand’s 36% - o ers a relative advantage. “ e US still needs palm oil, especially for confectionery products, due to trans-fat regulations. Demand will continue despite the tari ,” he said.
e US is a small but signi cant market, accounting for 1.1% of Malaysia’s palm oil exports in 2024. e oil is mainly used in specialty applications rather than general cooking, making it less price-sensitive.
Ahmad Parveez stressed Malaysia’s broader export strategy: “We’re diversifying and focusing on high-value palm-based products, not just commodities.” Malaysia also saw rising exports to the Philippines and is eyeing stronger trade within ASEAN, especially as it chairs the bloc this year.
Research by CIMB Securities indicates the new US tari s may prompt substitution with domestic oils like soybean oil. Still, Malaysia’s shi toward innovation and diversi ed markets may cushion the impact.
In his contribution to the Daily Express, industry veteran Joseph Tek spotlighted an age-old ally that could support modern plantation operations: the resilient and resourceful water bu alo.
Oil palm cultivation demands both labour and ingenuity. While machines assist, many tasks -especially harvesting - still rely on human skill. In Sabah and Sarawak, which account for 55% of Malaysia’s oil palm area, steep and swampy terrain hampers mechanisation. Surprisingly, an age-old ally may o er a modern solution: the water bu alo.
Bu aloes were once indispensable to Kadazandusun rice farming in Sabah, revered as symbols of strength and wealth. In oil palm elds, they thrive in conditions where many machines falter - hauling fruit bunches through so ground, grazing on undergrowth and even fertilising soil naturally.
eir symbiosis with egrets, which feed on insects stirred up by grazing, highlights nature’s harmony.
Water Bu aloes in Plantations
(30 March 2025)
eir reintroduction began serendipitously in Sabah. A Filipino worker used a bu alo to carry bunches, prompting estate manager Leslie Davidson to recognise its value. Today, bu aloes and machines can complement each other - tractors for at terrain, bu aloes for the rough. Bu aloes lower costs, reduce herbicide use, and promote eco-friendly practices. As fuel and maintenance costs soar, bu aloes o er a sustainable, low-carbon alternative. eir return blends tradition with practicality - proof that sometimes, the best solutions are powered by hooves, not horsepower.
RM42 Billion Oil Palm Replanting
(8 April 2025)
e Star published an abridged commentary on the mounting challenge of oil palm replanting in Malaysia - a looming issue with serious implications for the future of the industry. Today, approximately 1.4 million hectares - or 25% of Malaysia’s total oil palm planted area - are nearing the end of their economic life. In Sabah, the situation is even more acute: one in every three oil palm trees is already over 20 years old. If replanting is not accelerated, yields will continue to decline, production costs will increase, and the industry risks stagnation just when global demand and scrutiny are rising. At a Replanting Seminar in Sabah, data shared by the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) — compiled across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak - revealed that major plantation companies estimate the cost of replanting to maturity to be approximately RM28,000 per hectare. With 1.4 million hectares requiring replanting due to age, height, and declining productivity, and a cost range of RM25,000 to RM30,000 per hectare, the total replanting bill comes in at an eye-watering RM35 billion to RM42 billion. And this estimate doesn’t yet account for rising input costs.
is is the crux of the replanting conundrum: a vital exercise that requires long-term commitment and large capital outlay - o en with minimal short-term returns - in an industry where many smallholders and even mid-sized estates struggle with cash ow, ageing
Indonesia’s palm oil production is projected to increase by 3% to 47 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season, driven by favourable weather and higher fertiliser use, according to a recent USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report. e report expects normal dry season weather, with minimal impact from El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole phenomena. Fertiliser application is set to rise as costs have dropped by 14%-59% since 2022. Despite this production growth, the harvested area will remain steady at 14.4 million hectares, while the immature oil palm area is expected to increase slightly to 15%-16%, below previous peak levels. Expansion is anticipated in coming years due to high palm oil prices.
Palm oil is an essential crop due to its high yield per hectare
(2 May 2025)
Domestic consumption is forecast to reach 22.6 million tonnes, supported by industrial and food sector demand, including the rollout of the B40 biodiesel blending mandate, expected to raise industrial use to 14.9 million tonnes. Indonesia aims for a B50 mandate but needs signi cant biodiesel capacity expansion to meet this target. Export growth will be modest at 24 million tonnes, in uenced by increased export levies and shi ing demand from China, India, and Pakistan. Palm oil stocks are expected to rise 8% to 5.3 million tonnes, re ecting higher supply levels.
Govt approves cross-sector transfer for foreign workers
(8 May 2025)
e government has approved a major policy shi allowing foreign workers to transfer between employers across di erent sectors, expanding previous rules that limited transfers within the same sector under strict conditions.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the decision following the 13th Joint Committee Meeting on the Management of Foreign Workers with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. "Foreign workers in Malaysia can now apply to move to employers in other sectors, subject to existing regulations," he said in a statement.
Previously, transfers were permitted only in cases like company restructuring or closure and required Labour Department approval. While employers could transfer quotas between sectors, workers themselves had limited exibility.
Saifuddin said the change aligns with international labour standards and practices adopted in developed countries, bene ting the government, employers, and workers. e meeting also agreed to strengthen the Check-Out Memo (COM) process. Employers must now be present at international exit points when their workers depart the country.
"Employers, who manage foreign worker entry, must now take equal responsibility for their exit," Saifuddin said, warning that failure to comply may a ect future quota applications. He urged all stakeholders to fully comply with the new policies, stressing rm action will be taken against violations.
Botany’s Best-Kept Secret: Romance and Love-Life of Oil Palm
By Joseph Tek Choon Yee
Welcome to the enchanting world of oil palms, where nature’s most riveting drama unfolds - a plant soap opera where owers irt, pollen parties and fruits are the love children of a passionate union. Here, every bloom, pollinator and fruit are stars in a grand Oscar-worthy production of survival, adaptation, and productivity.
My fascination with plant reproduction began during university. While others found excitement elsewhere, I was captivated by the intricate elegance of how plants propagate - a biological symphony that de nes their life cycles. is curiosity set the stage for my rst career as an oil palm breeder, where my interest in plant reproduction truly blossomed.
Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the fascinating world of oil palm reproduction - from pollen grains to the lush fruit bunches that fuel entire economies. Yet, these wonders o en seem elusive - or boring - to those outside science. To change that, I was involved in “Walk With CEO,” weekend journeys through the oil palm supply chain. From seed to oil, it turned the technical into something relatable, engaging and even entertaining.
e romance and sex life of oil palms is a natural masterpiece - vibrant, scented owers, an intricate pollination dance and the miraculous birth of fruits on bunches. Like animals, oil palms rely on a delicate process to produce their o spring: seeds, nuts (kernels) and fruits that sustain both future generations and entire economies.
But nature doesn’t always cooperate. Environmental stressors like El Niño can wreak havoc. Under extreme stress, oil palms act like divas - owering becomes erratic and reproduction falters. e result? Lower yields and a reminder that nature plays by her own rules.
e male and female owers of oil palm
For planters and the industry, the real challenge isn’t just managing the complexities of the operations - it’s making them relatable. How do we take the science of plant reproduction and make it click with a wider audience?
is question has kept me on my toes, always seeking creative ways to bridge the gap. I believe that good communication is the seed from which understanding, dialogue and even admiration can grow. A er all, the oil palm’s love story deserves to be told - not just for its romance, but for its vital role in our world.
A Blooming Love Story
e oil palm’s journey from ower to fruit is one of passion, precision and persistence - a romance driven by instinct, a hint of cupid, perfect timing, and resilience.
is isn’t just for botanists or planters; it’s a universal tale of survival and the delicate dance between plants, people and nature. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or simply nature-curious, the palm’s story of blossoms, pollinators and fruiting is a captivating chapter in Earth’s romance.
Oil palms are botanical shapeshi ers, aunting a gender-bending charm. As ‘monoecious’ trees, the oil palm trees bear both male and female owers, performing a sensual tango that leads to the oil-rich fruits we so deeply depend on.
Now, let’s delve into how the seduction unfolds:
Picture the oil palm’s fronds as nature’s stage, where clusters of owers - in orescences - take the spotlight. Each leaf hosts a bouquet,
e owers are stars with distinct roles. Male owers act as exuberant maestros, releasing golden pollen in spectacular fashion. Female owers are the reserved divas, waiting for their moment. When they meet, magic happens - delicate blooms transform into bountiful
Pollination is the main act - a delicate ballet where pollen meets pistil in a perfectly timed chemistry of collaboration, orchestrated by
Nature’s Cupids
Male owers, cloaked in pollen, release their treasure into the air. Female owers, receptive for just a eeting moment, await the perfect kamerunicus weevils. Attracted by a sweet anise scent (think of Fisherman's Friend), they it between owers, carrying pollen, sipping nectar and jumpstarting fruiting.
Here’s the twist: female owers emit the same scent as the pollen-rich males, but o er no reward. It’s a clever botanical bait-and-switch. Tricked by scent, weevils visit and pollinate them, unwittingly sealing the deal. Scrooged! is intricate mix of scent, timing, and deception reveals nature’s brilliance. e weevils may think they’re winning, but it’s the oil palm that triumphs - cue the next act: fruit formation.
e unsung heroes of oil palm pollinationong-nosed weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus
Oil Palm’s Tireless Cupids
In the late 1970s, Malaysia’s oil palm industry faced a crisis: poor natural pollination le fruiting lacklustre. e hero? Elaeidobius kamerunicus, a tiny weevil that revolutionised the palm’s reproductive success.
Its arrival wasn’t by chance. Pioneering entomologist Datuk Rahman Anwar Syed, at the request of Unilever Plantations Chairman Leslie Davidson, studied pollinators in Cameroon from 1977–78. His discovery: a weevil not just suited - but perfectly evolved - for the job.
In 1979, the weevils arrived in Kuala Lumpur under quarantine. By 1980, they were released in PAMOL Kluang and PAMOL Sabah, zipping between owers like seasoned matchmakers.
What sets them apart? Relentless e ciency. riving in dry and moderately wet conditions, these weevils wear pollen like armour, turning themselves into ying couriers of fertilisation. ey become nature’s GDEX or DHL.
e impact was transformative. Fruit set and oil yields soared. Labour-intensive hand pollination - once led by “pollen pu er-ladies” - quickly faded into history, making way for a more e cient, productive era.
is tiny insect’s success is a shining example of targeted biological intervention. Without it, oil palm’s romantic saga - and Malaysia’s palm oil boom - might have looked very di erent.
Picture Credit: JungleDragon
Estragole: e Chanel No. 5 of Oil Palms
In the steamy love life of oil palms, estragole (C10H12O) plays the role of seductive star. is fragrant compound, wa ing from male owers like nature’s own perfume, lures the weevils with irresistible charm.
To these tiny pollinators, estragole isn’t just a scent - it’s a call to action. Drawn by its allure, they gather pollen, sip nectar and set o on their matchmaking mission from male to female owers.
Timing is everything. Male owers release estragole at peak bloom, guiding the weevils at just the right moment. Without this aromatic cue, pollination would falter - and the oil palm’s most fragrant secret weapon would be lost.
Parthenocarpic Syndrome: When Love Falls Short
Even the most seductive oral performances can falter. In oil palms, when pollinating weevils are in short supply, the result is parthenocarpic syndrome - fruits formed without fertilisation, producing barren seeds and no kernels.
e worst of these are the pale, white fruits - oil-free and useless to mills counting on high extraction rates. When too many appear in a bunch, overall productivity sinks, raising alarms across plantations and processing plants.
Recently, industry murmurs hint that E. kamerunicus alone may no longer be enough to sustain optimal pollination in some Malaysian estates. Is this a sign of waning romance in oil palm reproduction? e Indonesian planters have taken lead to bring in new fresh batch of weevils from Africa. Time - and targeted research - will tell if new partners or strategies are needed to rekindle the bloom.
Timing is Everything
In oil palm reproduction, timing isn’t just important - it’s everything. Pollen lives for less than 24 hours and must reach a receptive female ower within this narrow window. Success depends on a perfect synchrony: pollen at peak potency and female owers primed to receive it.
When the timing clicks, the rewards are abundant - e ective pollination can boost yields by up to 50%. But miss this moment, and the result is a fruitless bloom, a botanical reminder that opportunity waits for no one.
With seductive scents, devoted pollinators and fragile timing, the oil palm’s love story is one of nature’s most captivating dramas. Yet like all great sagas, it leaves us hanging: Can E. kamerunicus keep playing cupid? Will estragole continue to work its magic as environments change?
From Bloom to Fruit: A Transformation Drama
Once pollination seals the deal, the oil palm shi s from seduction to production. e owers fade, and hidden within, the fruits begin their quiet transformation - an unfolding drama of growth, resilience, and biological orchestration that leads to the industry’s prized treasure: the fresh fruit bunches (FFB).
Roughly 150 days a er pollination, the rst ripe fruit drops - a silent alarm clock signaling peak oil content and harvest readiness. is moment is shaped by weather, nutrients, and the palm’s genetics.
Inside each glossy fruit, the kernel matures by day 120 - a pearl of promise, holding the next generation’s life force. In completing its reproductive cycle, the oil palm not only secures its legacy, but also delivers the golden palm oil from its fruit that powers kitchens, industries and economies.
Long-Term Love A air: Leaf and Bunch Connection
Let’s rewind. e story of a ripe fruit bunch begins well before pollination - it’s written in the palm’s leaves. Typically, pollination occurs near the 17th leaf, but the bunch only ripens by the time it reaches the 30th. is elegant choreography reveals the palm’s remarkable foresight, planning its harvest weeks in advance through the alignment of fronds and oral destiny.
Here’s a curious twist: oil palm fronds grow in a spiral - either le or right-handed. Which spiral yields more fruit? at remains one of the palm’s charming enigmas. Science tells us the answer is: no di erence in yield. Still, it’s a delightful reminder that even in such a meticulously engineered crop, nature loves a little mystery.
Year-Round Rhythm: A Botanical Symphony
Oil palms are more than workhorses - they’re performers in an ongoing symphony of growth.
Young palms under 10 years are energetic virtuosos, delivering abundant fruit during peak seasons but needing recovery downtime. Older palms, the seasoned maestros, produce fewer but larger bunches, o ering steady, consistent yields.
From youthful prodigies to mature veterans, oil palms keep nature’s symphony playing - a silent yet vital contribution to global food and energy
Unseen Challenges: Stress and Resilience
Even the toughest performers face hurdles, and oil palms are no exception. Behind their vibrant fruits lie battles with stressors that challenge reproduction.
Stress Factors: Droughts like El Niño, over-pruning, and threats like Ganoderma fungus test the palm’s resilience. Stress not only weakens the tree but can disrupt its reproductive cycle - e ects that may surface months or years later.
e Male Takeover: A er stress, palms o en produce more male owers at the expense of females, reducing fruit set and yields - a stark reminder of how environmental pressures shape productivity.
A Love Life at Nurtures the World
We’ve glimpsed the oil palm’s love story - from oral courtship and delicate pollination dances to the drama of fruit ripening. Like a botanical Romance of the ree Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, it’s a tale of resilience, strategy and nature’s power to thrive against all odds.
But this story is more than agriculture; it’s a reminder of our deep bond with nature’s intricate rhythms - a testament to survival, partnership and life’s enduring ow.
So next time you see a ripe bunch, hear a buzzing weevil, or catch that hint of anise, remember: you’re witnessing a love life that sustains livelihoods and fuels the world.
So, do you now feel more connected to - and have a clearer understanding of - the fascinating biology behind the oil palm’s romance, love and sex-life?
3rd T-POMI Technology & Talent Palm Oil Mill
Indonesia 2025
Holiday Inn Bandung Pasteur, West Java, Indonesia
8 - 10 July
17th National Seminar (NATSEM) 2025
Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
14 - 16 July
11th Indonesia International Palm Oil Machinery & Processing Technology Exhibition 2025 (INAPALM ASIA 2025)
Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO), Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia
29 - 31 July
Asia Palm Oil Thailand 2024 CO-OP Exhibition Centre, SuratthanI, Thailand
7 - 8 August
3rd Sawit Indonesia Expo (SIEXPO) 2025 Pekanbaru Convention & Exhibition Riau, Indonesia
7 - 9 August
MOSTA Oil Palm Best Practices Workshop
2025 EVENTS
8th Malaysia International Agriculture Technology Exhibition MITEC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
11 - 13 September
PALMEX Medan 2025
Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention, Medan, Indonesia
7 - 9 October
21st Indonesian Palm Oil Conference (IPOC) and 2026 Price Outlook
Bali International Convention Centre (BICC), Bali, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Early November
MPOB International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition (PIPOC) 2025
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
18 - 20 November
2nd Unlocking Revenue and Sustainability: Exploring Carbon Credit Opportunities in the Palm Oil Industry 2025 (Biomass Edition)Kuala
e Harsh Battle of Oil Palm Against El Niño’s Scorching Fury
By Joseph Tek Choon Yee
El Niño, deceptively charming with its name meaning “Little Boy” in Spanish, was rst noticed by South American shermen in the 1600s when the Paci c Ocean decided to act more like a sauna than a freezer.
Occurring around Christmas time, they called it El Niño de Navidad. But don’t be fooled by the festive name - this is no welcome guest. El Niño tends to arrive uninvited and overstays its welcome, disrupting global weather patterns with droughts, oods, and searing heatwaves.
Among its many victims are oil palm trees, which struggle under prolonged dry spells and relentless sun, their yields dropping as they ght to survive a climate gone haywire.
Flowering: Part Botany, Part Drama - and Utterly Fascinating!
e Family Tree
Nature’s Versatile Actor
Let’s unravel the oil palm’s owering and fruiting cyclea curious mix of science and soap opera, made even more unpredictable by El Niño, the unruly guest that loves to shake things up.
Each palm frond is like a branch on a family tree. At its base sits an in orescence - a cluster of future owers. e math is simple: more healthy fronds equals more bunches, translate to higher yields. It’s nature’s way of saying, “Care for your leaves, and the fruits will follow.”
Each in orescence is a role-player. It may turn male, female (the fruit-bearing VIP), or - in a plot twistboth, as a “mixed” or hermaphrodite ower. Young palms o en try out mixed roles, like rookie actors unsure of their big break.
Even mature palms stir the drama, producing mixed owers when transitioning between male and female cycles. It’s the palm hedging its bets: “Why not be everything at once?”
A fruit bunch declares itself “ripe” when its rst fruit abscises - a fancy word for “drops o .” at’s our cue: the oil-rich mesocarp is at its peak. e rest follow in close succession, making the bunch an oil jackpot.
In sunny Sabah in Malaysia, the rst fruit usually drops about 150 days ( ve months) a er pollination. But rainfall, dryness, and genetics can shi this to anywhere from 135 to 165 days. Some mutant palms hold onto fruits like overprotective parents ie ‘non-abscising’ .
While the mesocarp races toward oil richness, the kernel (the whitish seed) wraps up its own development earlyaround 120 days. “I’m done,” it says, and waits.
e Real Plot Twist
Here’s the kicker: an in orescence’s fate - male or female - was sealed two years earlier, around Frond “Negative No. 20.” Talk about long-term planning!
e oil palm’s owering and ripening cycle is a captivating blend of patience, precision and quiet drama. From the rst fruit drop to the years-ahead decision on sex, it’s a biological performance worthy of a standing ovation.
Slow and Steady Growth
Mature palms grow 2 to 3 fronds a month - 24 or more annually. Not speedy, but it keeps production humming.
Frond No. 30 — e Sweet Spot
Most ripe bunches hang around Frond No. 30 or a few fronds below. Yes, oil palm folks count fronds - even into negative numbers! Welcome to the wonderfully nerdy world of agronomy.
Pollination Precision
Pollination (anthesis) happens around Frond No. 17 - about 11–14 fronds earlier than when the bunch ripens at Frond No. 30. at’s roughly 5½ months of biological choreography any event planner would envy.
e lag-e ects of prolonged El Nino on oil palm (Credit: Joseph Tek)
El Niño and Oil Palm Trees
Every few years, El Niño crashes onto the global stage like an uninvited guest with dramatic air and unpredictable mood swings. is climatic troublemaker doesn’t just make a scene - it disrupts weather patterns worldwide, leaving meteorologists scrambling and farmers anxious. ink of El Niño as nature’s unpredictable DJ, remixing the rhythms of rain and drought through warm Paci c currents.
Meanwhile, deep in the oil palm plantations, another drama unfolds - a tale of seduction, timing and harvest. e oil palm, a quiet giant of the global edible oil trade, stages a botanical ballet. Male and female owers perform a oral tango, while tiny weevils it between them like miniature Cupids, orchestrating pollination with precision. It’s nature’s grand opera, climaxing in ripe fruit bunches.
But just as harmony builds, El Niño barges in like a rogue fan, throwing the whole show o tempo. Rain patterns spiral into chaos - droughts here, deluges there - and the oil palms su er. ese thirsty trees depend on consistent moisture, soaking up to 400 litres of water daily of tropical downpour.
When rainfall is steady, oil palms thrive, fronds gleam and fruit bunches abound. But in drought, the consequences are stark. Oil palms aren’t just leafy giants - they’re reproductive machines, balancing male and female owering in a precise rhythm. El Niño’s dry spells knock that rhythm o balance, and with it, the promise of future harvests.
How Oil Palms Show Signs
of Stress?
Oil palms are hardy, but even they have limits. Stress - whether from El Niño’s droughts, excessive pruning, pest attacks or Ganoderma infections - disrupts their delicate reproductive processes. In orescence development and sex determination are especially vulnerable.
Early stress signs are subtle but telling. Fronds grow sluggishly under the punishing sun, while spear leaves wither and curl at the tipslike a silent cry for help. e tree’s message is clear: “We’re parched!”
en comes the reproductive fallout. Drought throws ower production o balance, causing male blooms to dominate while female owers - key to fruit formation - barely show up. It’s like a play where the leading ladies are missing, leaving understudies oundering.
Here’s how stress plays out over
time:
4–6 months later: Pollinated bunches can fail, shrivelling into dry, rotting clumps - a haunting a ermath.
Around 12 months: Female in orescences abort entirely, missing their pollination debut and puzzling growers.
A er 2 years: e palm shi s toward producing more male than female owers - a survival tactic. Nutrient-starved, few females remain, and yields drop sharply. is isn’t a passing phase. ere’s no cure - no Panadol, no Xanax, no x. e e ects linger, slashing both current and future yields. e palm, like a diva in distress, doesn’t su er quietly.
Oil palms also exhibit natural yield cycles based on age:
Young palms (under 10 years): Like teenagers, they swing between yield highs and lows.
Middle age (10–20 years): Yields stabilise - fewer but larger bunches with less volatility.
Older palms (over 20 years): ey age gracefully with steady, albeit lower, productivity.
Understanding these cycles and stress symptoms helps growers manage expectations and optimise productivity throughout a palm’s life.
Oil Palm El Niño’s Shakespearean Drama
Let us now reenact the tale of El Niño’s wrath upon the noble oil palm, staged as a Shakespearean drama with a modern twist. Composing this from the Bard’s literary toolkit was both a delight and a torment — but one that deepened my awe for his genius. (Note: “Bard” was Shakespeare’s nickname, as he was the greatest poet of Avon.)
is climatic saga unfolds like a gripping play, where the oil palm is our tragic hero, and El Niño, the merciless antagonist. Each act carries tension, despair and perhaps, a glimpse of redemption.
Act 1: Scorching Prelude
" e rains abandon their posts, leaving the land parched and exposed, while the sun turns tyrant."
El Niño enters, erce and unrelenting, banishing rain and baking the land. Peatlands crack and become tinder. A single spark sets o infernos, choking the skies with smoke.
Plantation managers, now generals in battle, scramble to ght the res. Fire engines and ERT teams stand vigil day and night. Mills beg for water - without it, no processing. Every dry day feels like betrayal, and the stage is set for epic struggle.
Act 3: Blossoming Tragedy
"In the dance of nature, harmony falters, and the stage is set for imbalance."
A year later, a deeper tragedy blooms. Male and female owers fall out of step. Picture Romeo waiting - but Juliet never appears.
Without pollination, abundance becomes illusion. e weevil, nature’s matchmaker, nds no one to pair. Promising yield projections now feel like cruel jokes.
2: Lagging Curse
" e seeds of misfortune are sown in silence, only to sprout into calamity months later."
Four to six months in, palms show stress. Yields drop, fruits shrink and dry. Empty truckloads speak of nancial tragedy. Growers gaze skyward, pleading for rain, as the drama unfolds in slow motion.
Act 4: Lasting Scars
" e scars of the storm linger long a er the tempest has passed."
Two years on, El Niño’s ghost still haunts. Palms droop like exhausted actors a er curtain call. Yields have not recovered. Growers tally their lossesnancial and emotional. KPIs unmet, bonuses lost - all beyond their control. And yet, within the wreckage lies resilience, forged in the re of adversity.
e Perfect Storm - or 'Drought'
Shakespeare wrote, “What’s past is prologue.” And truly, El Niño is no stranger. History tells of his fury:
1982/83 and 1997/98 saw palm yields drop by 16%, CPO output fall 14%, and prices soar.
Yet rising prices are tempered by competition, shi ing policies and fragile markets. e true cost of El Niño reaches deeper: livelihoods shaken, food security threatened, ecosystems disturbed.
L
essons From the Past T
To weather future storms, we must act with foresight.
Investing in irrigation, water bodies, and conservation -though costly - is crucial and may o er some relief. Best management practices across the supply chain o er vital bu ers. e price of unpreparedness is far greater than prudent planning.
Stay informed. Stay anticipative. Visit NOAA’s website for deeper insights into El Niño’s patterns. In this grand theatre of climate and agriculture, survival isn’t enough - it’s a high-stakes game of thriving, hedging, and seizing windows of opportunity.
For traders, it’s also a strategic wagermanaging risk while dancing with chaos.
So let the play go on - tempest and all. For as the Bard said, “All the world’s a stage,” and every palm - and planter - must play their part.
e Hidden Engine of ESG: How Soil Health Will Make
or
Break the Palm Oil Sector’s Global Credibility
“We cannot claim sustainability on the surface while our soils remain chemically exhausted, biologically silent, and structurally broken.”
is is not just a philosophical statement—it is a strategic reality facing the palm oil industry today.
As global buyers enforce Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates—led by policies like the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) and ampli ed by consumer activism—producers and plantation companies are scrambling to retro t their operations. Yet, amidst boardroom checklists and certi cation dashboards, one critical factor remains vastly underestimated: soil health.
Not as a compliance checkbox. But as the foundational risk regulator, resilience enabler, and revenue multiplier of the
I. Soil Health: e Forgotten ESG Frontier
Despite being the root of agricultural productivity, soil is o en treated as a passive substrate-something to be managed minimally and chemically optimized. However, contemporary soil science reveals that living soils act as:
Carbon sinks: Soils store three times more carbon than the atmosphere, and degraded soils release it rapidly.
Biodiversity reservoirs: Over 25% of global biodiversity resides underground.
Water regulators: Healthy soils can increase water in ltration and retention by up to 50%, directly mitigating ood and drought risks.
From Fertility to Forensics: Soil as an ESG Audit Trail
Here’s the emerging truth: soil can no longer be ignored in ESG reporting.
International buyers and nanciers are now demanding evidence of regenerative outcomes, not just deforestation-free status. Under EUDR and evolving RSPO, guidelines, veri able indicators of soil condition—organic carbon content, biological activity, and chemical load—are being positioned as compliance markers
Case in Point:
In a 2023 EU pilot traceability audit, 4 of 10 Malaysian palm oil producers failed due to "insu cient soil quality data and lack of regenerative management practices," despite having zero deforestation claims.
Soil health is no longer a side concern. It is data-backed proof of land stewardship—and a liability if ignored.
Neglecting soil health creates invisible liabilities—both agronomic and reputational. In a Malaysian context, over 65% of plantation soils exhibit low organic matter (<2%), leading to compaction, nutrient leaching, and dependency on synthetic inputs. is not only undermines ESG narratives but actively contradicts them.
III. Strategic Levers: How Soil Management Can Advance ESG
Below are ve intelligent, outcome-driven soil health interventions that directly align with ESG goals:
1. Organic Matter Restoration as Carbon Currency
FB Composting, POME sludge integration, and frond mulching can increase soil organic carbon by 0.2–0.5% per year, translating to 2–5 tons CO2e sequestered per hectare annually.
Biochar, derived from palm biomass waste, has a mean carbon stability of over 500 years and enhances CEC, water-holding capacity, and root zone pH balance.
II.
Table 1: How Soil Health Directly Impacts ESG Performance in Palm Oil
By Dr. Suzie Haryanti Husain Soil Health Expert (SHE™), Founder of the SHE Council, Chief Soil Intelligence O cer at Presica Tech Sdn. Bhd.
Trials in Perak and Sabah showed 12–25% yield improvement in FFB over 24 months with biochar-enhanced plots.
3. Micronutrient and pH Diagnostics: e Quiet Crisis
Over 70% of tested soils across Peninsular Malaysia are mildly to strongly acidic (pH <5.5), locking up phosphorus and reducing fertiliser e cacy.
Corrective liming (CaMg inputs) not only unlocks nutrients but reduces GHG emissions by curbing denitri cation losses.
4. Biological Activation: Fungi as Soil Engineers
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonisation can improve phosphate uptake by up to 60%, reducing dependency on imported phosphate fertilisers.
Yet, soil testing in 2022 revealed over 80% of plantation blocks lacked active AMF populations, due to chemical overexposure.
5. Ground Cover Intelligence: Beyond Aesthetic Green
We need a —an ESG-aligned system integrating:
Diagnostic soil testing
Microbial pro ling
Longitudinal pH and carbon tracking
Geospatial soil resilience zoning
Mucuna bracteata and Centrosema not only reduce erosion by >90%, but also biologically x 100–150 kg N/ha/year, equivalent to 2–3 urea applications.
Neglecting this is not just agronomic ine ciency—it’s ESG malpractice.
is is what we are now piloting at SHE Council, with early interest from climate investors and sustainability certi ers.
V. Strategic Risks of Ignoring Soil in ESG
Soil neglect is not just agronomic—it’s strategic exposure. Consider the following risks:
ESG Reputational Collapse: A company that claims regenerative practices but operates on chemically burned-out soil will fail third-party veri cation.
Certi cation Suspension: Future versions of RSPO and ISPO may embed soil audit thresholds (as seen in cocoa and co ee industries).
Stranded Asset Risk: Land degradation makes replanting uneconomic, leading to stranded hectares in plantation portfolios.
In short: no soil, no story.
IV. Beyond Certi cation: Building Soil Intelligence Systems
Sustainability certi cations—RSPO, MSPO, ISPO—have historically failed to incorporate scienti c soil data into performance matrices. is is where the next evolution must occur:
Photo
Soil Science
VI. e Way Forward: Soil as Strategic Capital
To meet ESG goals, the palm oil sector must shi from treating soil as an input medium to a strategic ESG capital asset. is requires:
Integrating Soil KPIs in ESG Reporting
Include % SOM (soil organic matter), bulk density, and microbial respiration rates.
Farmer Training on Regenerative Agronomy
Upskill estate managers and smallholders to interpret soil data and implement responsive actions.
Reward Systems for Soil Stewardship
O er carbon credits or green nance premiums for estates demonstrating veri able soil carbon gains.
Final oughts: Soil as the New Due Diligence
We cannot talk about ESG in palm oil while standing on dead soil.
e most advanced traceability platform, the best sustainability report, and the highest-yielding clone cannot redeem degraded land. In the ESG era, soil is no longer invisible. It is interrogated And those who lead with credible soil health strategies will emerge not only as producers—but as planetary stewards.
Soil is not just the base of agriculture.
It is the base of credibility. e palm oil sector must now rise from the ground up.
About the Author
Dr. Suzie Haryanti Husain is a leading Global Soil Health Expert and founder of the SHE™ (Soil Health Expert) Council. She advises regional governments, plantation companies, and international bodies on soil regeneration, ESG traceability, and agroecosystem transformation. Her work bridges science, strategy, and sustainability across Malaysia and the Global South.
From Soil Sampling to ESG Reporting
How Regenerative Soil Practices Drive ESG ROI"
OIL PALM MINISTRY, ITS AGENCIES AND RELATED ASSOCIATIONS
Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) www.kpk.gov.my
Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) www.mpoa.org.my
Sarawak Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association (DOPPA) www.doppa.org
Badan Pengelola Dana Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit (BPDPKS)
Indonesian Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency https://www.bpdp.or.id/
