Field Inspection Report

AUDITING CARD

Technical Inspection: Immature and Mature Maintenance

Name of Technical Officer: Last Current
Inspection Inspection
CHRISTOPHER REY YBAÑEZ Date: 20230901 Date: 20231116
OG Name YTEM FARMS Elevation (meters above sea 366
level)
Plantation Information:
Block/Phase Year of Planting Age Hectarage Density/Population
(YOP)
1 2017 Mar 6, 7 mos 6.00 844
2 2017 Jun 6 yrs, 4 mos 2.09 300
3a 2018 Jun 5 yrs, 4 mos 2.04 292
3b 2021 Jul 2 yrs, 3 mo 0.33 47
4 2020 May 3 yrs, 5 mos 2.40 343
5a 2021 May 2 yrs, 5 mos 0.38 54
5b 2023 Jan 9 mos 0.98 140
6a 2023 Aug 2 2.24 321
Agronomic Conditions:
NO YES NC
Is the palm spacing and alignment correct? 
Have abnormal palms been culled out? 
Are all plantable points planted? 
Have leaning palms been staked or mounded? 
Have palms been planted at the correct depth? 
Is the Block properly drained? 
Is N status satisfactory? 
Is P status satisfactory? (check for indicator plants) 
Is K status satisfactory? 
Is Mg status satisfactory? 
Few cases in Phase 2 and 3.
Is Cu status satisfactory? 
Is B status satisfactory? 
Is field free or rat damage? 
Cases isolated and insignificant
Is the field free of caterpillar damage? 
Is field free or rhinoceros beetle? 
Cases isolated and insignificant
Is the field free of bagworm damage? 
Is the field free of crown disease? 
Is the field free of weed competition? 
All Phases except Phase 4, 5 and 6a need circle weeding and
spraying
Are roads already established? 
Except Phases 5 and 6a
Are platforms already established? -
Recommended platforms in Phase 3b and Phase 6a
Remarks and Recommendations:

1. Weed Condition (Phase 6a)

It was observed that half of the area (especially the area adjacent to the huts) is overwhelmed by weeds mainly
by Itch grass (Agingay). It has been 3 months from field planting during the visit thus weed vegetation is already
in due season in preparation for the 1st fertilization round. It is recommended to conduct immediate blanket
slashing and circle weeding of the palm circles and fertilization this November. The following operations are
critical especially on the 1st year of plantation establishment.

Slashing and circle weeding rounds to be conducted first before fertilizer application. Weeds if not attended to,
can considerably affect the establishment, growth and yield of oil palms. Weeds act as a refuge for pests, and
they are detrimental to oil palm growth as they compete with the oil palm for nutrients, water and sunlight. They
also cause difficulty in movement and access inside the plantation.

Area with Agingay

Slight yellowing of palms due to weeds and delayed fertilization

It was good that the other half of the area was already intercropped with corn where weeding becomes minimal.
We understand that the area with lush weeds have been furrowed (tudling establishment), but planting of corn
did not pushed through (per the tenant and Mario). Intercropping is ideal if herbicide spraying is not to be
conducted intermittently in the area since it will reduce weeding cost.
 However, overkilling the weeds must be avoided so as not to expedite evaporation of soil moisture in the area
especially during prolonged dry weather conditions. Soft weeds be tolerated since it can help conserve soil
moisture. It is also recommended to rotate types of herbicides to avoid herbicide resistance of weeds. We
understand Mario is using Tekweed and 2-4D Amine only this year thus we recommend that we use an alternate
brand or Active Ingredient (AI) to avoid resistance or immunity. Below is an exemplary of the occurrence:

Conventional interval is usually 2-3 months usually before fertilization regime. We reiterate that we must aim that
the palm circle is maintained clean from weeds at 1 to 1.5-meter radius to avoid sedges, grasses and creepers.

2. Corn Intercrop

For smallholders on the contrary, intercropping presents numerous advantages as it not only covers the weeding
cost but also provides food and revenue while waiting for the palms to come into production. However, planting
distance and density among others should be taken into consideration when intercropping with oil palm so as to
leave adequate space between crops and not jeopardize the growth of the palms during the immature stage.

It was observed that corn was inside, if not too close to the palms in Phase 6a. In our experience where newly
planted palms are shaded, they tend to have stunted growth (or kubol in vernacular) thus flowering is delayed.

Some intercrops were too close to palms which may inhibit growth and access
 Mario have instructed the tenants to allow the recommended distance of corn from the palms but was merely
followed during actual sowing. Mario is yet to rectify the deviation by thinning out (iboton) the corn inside the
palm circles he assured during our discussion.

3. Creeper Removal and Selective Weeding

These activities encourage optimum palm growth by reducing competition from weeds for nutrient, moisture and
sunlight, and prevent the establishment of large bushes and trees in the plantation.

The standards for the 1st year of planting are to:

 uproot and remove all woody plants, young trees, and plants with fleshy and persistent rooting systems
(e.g. Taro, bananas and ferns).
 remove all vines and creepers from the palm circles, fronds and trucks and rolled back clear of the palm
circle.

If shrub weeds are too difficult to pull by hand, the roots should be cut below ground using bush knives and sharp
chisel (bara).

Vines and creepers must not be allowed to invade palm circles because they compete for nutrients and reduce
fertilizer use efficiency.

These weeds can cover the lower fronds which can deprive sunlight. When unattended, these weeds can choke
the unopened shoots and newly opened fronds delaying growth. Palms that have been poorly maintained (e.g.
where vines are allowed to invade) usually exhibit irregular fruiting patterns, delayed maturity and increased rat
damage.

Shrubs and small trees should be cut as close to the ground as possible to delay or avoid growth. These woody
plants should be eradicated and not be allowed to grow in the plantation.

Herbicide is discouraged during the 1st year to avoid damage and stress of fronds and eventually the
whole palm.

The frequency of these activities are as follows:

 Vine removal – as required; or once every quarter in conjunction with circle weeding and fertilization
 Selective weeding – once every 6 months (2 rounds/yr).

Gmelina and Kakuate (madre de cacao) coppice and Bananas near the palms must be cut to avoid shading of palms
 Biga (Alocasia family) and bananas

4. Harvesting observations (Phase 2 and 3)

We were able to pursue and observe harvesting in Phases 2 and 3 during the visit. These are the following
observations on the current practices:

 Cut and collect

 Harvesters cut the fronds and ripe bunches initially followed by loose fruit collection on the next day,
enough to accumulate volume for truck delivery.
 Fronds are collected and arranged on the stacking lines every after the whole harvest.
 The standard and recommendation is for harvesters to cut (fronds and FFBs), collect and
arrange the fronds before the actual collection of FFBs and LFs (loose fruits). This is to ensure
that all harvests especially loose fruits can be seen and collected by the loose fruiters.
 Not only that it can provide access for the workers to the palm circles but avoid accidents as well
since fronds are thorny.

Fronds impede access to harvesters if not collected immediately during harvesting

 Missed out bunches and LFs
 We understand that activities are not always perfect. Mostly, uncollected fruits are the result of
oversight in supervision and control, worker lapses, and improper harvesting protocol.
 Unarranged fronds can hide LFs causing missed outs and eventually result to unwanted oil palm
seedlings termed as VOPs (volunteer oil palm seedlings) germinated from uncollected fruits in the
field to become weed in oil palm plantations.
 Also, weight and yield loss may be attributed collectively.

Fronds and LFs in palm circles

Unarranged fronds and missed out FFB adjacent boundary

 Uncollected (?) LFs

 Volunteer oil palm seedlings (VOPs) are becoming a serious weed problem in oil palm plantations,
especially in newly replanted and mature areas. Uncontrolled VOPs will hinder field operations such
as harvesting, collection of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and fertilizer application.

When unchecked, VOPS not only compete for water and nutrients but impede LF collection as well.

 Note:
The fruits are what earn the money in oil palm plantations; not collecting them is like leaving money
lying around!
Also, uncollected fruits will grow into weeds, which need to be removed later thus additional labor
cost.

 FFB Hauling
 Current practice is collecting the fruits using the front drive truck infield.
 Another bigger hauler truck waits for finally delivery at the collection points.
 Transfer of FFBs from relay truck to delivery truck sometimes result to many detached LF on the
ground that sometimes becomes tedious and time-consuming in collection.
 Suggestion: Use nets in collection points and placed under the 2 trucks for easier LF collection.
  For study: Direct delivery of the relay truck to Dangcagan buying station (only 7-km away from
Gutapol) compared to transfer of FFB and LF collection to delivery truck then delivery. Costs to be
compared for efficiency purposes.
 Delivery to Carmen is another story where volume is needed to compensate fuel/delivery costs.

 Other Documentation:

LF collection by harvester/loose fruiter

FFB and LFs at roadside collection point in Phase 2

 Established road and stacking lines (Kudos!)

Improved vegetation of palms near the lagoon due to drainage construction. These palms exhibited severe yellowing and
necrosis when it was formerly waterlogged.
 Overpruning in Phase 3

Uncompleted weeding in Phase 2

 Phase 3 ridge vantage point (facing Phase 1 and 2)

Phase 3 ridge vantage point (facing Phase 2 lagoon)

5. Field 5 conditions

The intercropping in Fields 5a and b manifested good practices.

Vegetables such as peppers, okra, eggplants and beans were planted by the community folks. Weed conditions
was controlled with these intercrops. The only problem is when the trellis was tied to the palm fronds that
damaged the leaflets and fronds. Mario has already transferred the guying/trellis of the vegetables and reminded
the growers of our standard.
 Soft weeds can help in water conservation of the soil in plantation

Okra intercrop in Field 5a

In Field 5b, it was planted with squash by the Brgy Chairman. This somehow reduced weeding cost of the area.
However, we recommend another round of circle weeding and fertilization. No rhinoceros beetle infestation
detected during the visit. Fertilization must be conducted once the circles are already slashed and sanitized to
avoid nutrient deficiency that will deter normal growth and flowering.
Shoots have developed normally indicating no rhinoceros beetle infestation

Squash intercrop
 Circle weeding to discourage leguminous vines

Circle weeding is necessary to limit competition and provide access to fertilization and monitoring

6. Field 4 conditions

We have observed that several bunches being cut per palm during harvesting. This is normal upon entering the
mature phase of the palms and a good indication that there is an established colony of the weevils (pollinators)
and that palms have already recovered (from formerly delayed flowering).

There were 2-3 bunches cut per palm in the area. We also observed that fruit sets are established for the next 6
months. However next year, the bunches will be adjusted by decreasing the number of bunches but conversely
increasing each bunch weight. The consecutive flowering can be assisted with timely application of fertilizers.

We also observed that weeds already impede the path of the harvesters making it difficult to cross to the next
adjacent palms.
Mario have assured that after the harvesting, they will focus on weeding and herbicide spraying of all areas. We
have reminded that we can do strip slashing and spraying so long as harvesting and monitoring paths are clean
for access. Blanket slashing and spraying incur higher cost than doing it using the strips. We have already taught
Mario the technique in conduct circle spraying especially in this Phase where obnoxious weeds such as Hagonoy,
Cogon and Malatungao are present.

Again, we also recommend the prompt collection and arrangement of fronds every harvesting day to avoid miss-
outs. The current practice allots a day or 2 collect and arrange the fronds every harvesting round. The cut-
collect-arrange practice may be slow at first glance but it ensures that fruits are visible and missed outs can be
prevented. It is the same story after all the slowly but definite process.

Cut FFBs

Fruit sets (2 levels)

Circle weeding is done to reduce competition from weeds for nutrients, moisture and sunlight. Vines and creepers
should be removed before they choke the young palms.
Previous and current unarranged fronds inside the palm circles

Strip slashing and spraying necessary

 Access to the next palms obstructed by weeds

7. Seedling Status

We observed that the seedlings are generally have normal growth. Most of them have already undergone
pinnaetion (formation of pinnae or leaflets; “nanggilis” in vernacular) indicating they are ready for field planting.

Some seedlings especially in the middle portion of the cluster are smaller or stunted because they are shaded
by the canopy of the adjacent palms.

If planting will take a while, we recommend that we adjust the spacing of the seedlings. Every alternate row
should be transferred to another area to avoid overcrowding and provide adequate sunlight for growth.
Otherwise, it will result to etiolation of seedlings (lanky or tugsoy) which is prone to breakage and leaning when
it is out-planted.

Fertilization and watering should also be conducted from time to time if further planting delay is foreseen. If
unattended, seedlings may manifest yellowing and stunting on the next months.

Clear manifestation of pinnaetion as leaflets separate implying seedlings are ready for field planting
8. El Niño

PAGASA confirmed in a climate outlook forum last Nov. 22 that the El Niño has intensified from “moderate” to
“strong” event.

This means that the effect of El Niño on the country may be more severe and last longer. The current El Niño
episode may intensify further in the coming months and continue until the second quarter of 2024. Although it
was forecasted to start last October in Central Mindanao, it is fortunate that we still have sufficient monthly rainfall
above the minimum 200 mm as we monitored it daily.

PAGASA disclosed that the presence of El Niño contributes to a “more humid" weather than usual and
"occasional" cloud formation, which influences the frequency of cyclones in the country.

9. Data for Analysis

Below are examples of data collect every month to guide us in decision-making on the conduct of general
maintenance and fertilization. Palmera has only 3-hectare plantation and yet, get the following yield as of
November 2023.

We hope that once you allow me, yield intensification of the Phases will be our focus. The following tables and
graph show potential yields of the areas can be attained thru better management practices. Expansion of areas
is unnecessary if the areas’ potentials are optimized.

To-date, we attained already 37 tons/hectare/year.

Note:
ABW – Average Bunch Weight
MT – Metric Tons
YPH – Yield Per Hectare
Inspected by: CHRISTOPHER REY SANCHEZ YBAÑEZ Date: November 30, 2023
Signature Over Printed Name