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21:33, 10 October 2016 [[Image:SNV logo.png|right|100px|link=http://www.snv.org/]]
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Download: [http://intothefield.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Module-3-3rd-edition-2016-08.pdf Module 3: Plantation Maintenance]
===Goal===
* Create good access into the plantation for all management activities
* Enable fast and easy harvesting
===Standard===
* Paths are between 50—75 cm wide
* Paths are completely free of weeds
* One path is present every other palm row (see [http://akvopedia.org/sandbox/File:Oil-palm-3.6-figure16.png Figure 16])
* Plantations are easy to access (e.g. footbridges over ditches and swamps, no steep slopes, etc.)
* Harvesters with heavy wheelbarrows can move around the plantation easily
[[Image:oil-palm-3.6-figure16.png|thumb|right|200px|Figure 16: Good harvesting path, easily accessible plantation]]
===Timing===
* At the beginning and end of the dry period
* Shortly before the peak season (so harvesting can be done more efficiently)
* '''Not''' when rain is expected that day (otherwise the herbicide is washed away)
* Usually done together with circle weeding
===Frequency===
* Once every 3—4 months, or;
* Whenever the weeds on the path are above ankle height
===Labour time required===
* Manual weeding: 2 days per hectare
* Chemical weeding: together with circle weeding, 1 day per 2 hectares
* Bridges, ramps, etc.: depending on the condition of the plantation
===Equipment and materials===
* Manual weeding:
:: - Chisel / spade
:: - Bush knife
* Chemical weeding:
:: - Knapsack sprayer
:: - Protective clothing
:: - Measuring cup (50—200 ml)
:: - Clean water (50—100 L/ha)
:: - Herbicide (0.5—2 L/ha)
===Who===
Farmers and their families or hired labourers
===How===
====Manual weeding of paths====
To manually weed paths:
* Cut down all weeds on the path to ground level with a bush knife or scrape away all weeds using a spade
* If possible, pull out woody weeds with large roots. If they cannot be pulled out, dig out the stumps with a chisel or spade
====Chemical weeding of paths====
For tall weeds (more than 50 cm) start with one round of manual weeding and then spray the young re-growing weeds after one month or when the weeds are at ankle height using the following procedure:
{| style="border: 1px solid #72CDFF" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|width="15%" valign="top"|'''Step 1.'''
|Make sure the sprayer is calibrated and working properly.
|-
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#f0f8ff;" |'''Step 2.'''
|style="background:#f0f8ff;" |Prepare the herbicide according to the instructions on the package (see also [[Sustainable Oil Palm Farming / Storing and spraying chemicals | Storing and spraying chemicals]]).
|-
|width="15%" valign="top"|'''Step 3.'''
|Select a nozzle that gives a spray of about half a meter wide.
|-
|width="15%" valign="top" style="background:#f0f8ff;" |'''Step 4.'''
|style="background:#f0f8ff;" |Spray the path using the following technique:
* Walk at a regular speed over the path and keep the nozzle steady and low above the ground
* Do not swing the nozzle left and right
* Never spray on palm leaves, otherwise the palm will be damaged
Per hectare, expect to spray 50 to 100 L of solution (0.5 to 2 L of herbicide), depending on the number of weeds and the instructions on the label. See [[Sustainable Oil Palm Farming / Removing noxious weeds | Removing noxious weeds]] for information on how to kill woody weeds.
|}
====Installing foot bridges and ramps====
[[Image:oil-palm-3.6-figure17.png|thumb|right|200px|Figure 17: Good foot bridge]]
* All harvesting paths should lead to a main path (or: ‘collection road’) which is accessible for a car, truck or heavily loaded motorbike
* If there are ditches or canals that need to be crossed install foot-bridges which are:
:: - Strong and solid (will not collapse when a harvester with a full wheelbarrow walks over it)
:: - At least 20 cm wide (best to use a wide plank or several planks attached together)
:: - Well attached on both sides and not moving or wobbling (see [http://akvopedia.org/sandbox/File:Oil-palm-3.6-figure17.png Figure 17])
* If there are steep slopes:
:: - Dig out a ramp where a harvester with a heavy wheelbarrow can pass easily
:: - Put a wooden plank over the ramp to prevent it from getting too slippery
===Data recording===
Every weeding or maintenance activity should be recorded in a logbook as shown in the example below.
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|rowspan="2" |'''Date'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Time'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Location'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Activity'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Input type'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Input amount'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Input costs'''
|colspan="2" |'''Labour input'''
|rowspan="2" |'''Labour costs'''
|-
|'''People'''
|'''Hours'''
|-
|16/01/13
|<!--empty-->
|Field 3
|Path and circle weeding
|Round-Up
|1 L
|75000
|1
|8
|80000
|}
===Acknowledgements===
The material from ''Harvesting paths and access'' is sourced from Smallholder Oil Palm Handbook and put together by Lotte Suzanne Woittiez ([http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/wageningen-university.htm Wageningen Universit]) and Haryono Sadikin, Sri Turhina, Hidayat Dani, Tri Purba Dukan, and Hans Smit ([http://www.snv.org/ SNV]) in August 2016. See [http://intothefield.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Module-3-3rd-edition-2016-08.pdf Module 3: Plantation Maintenance] for more information.
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