Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)

  • First harvest can be taken 3.5 to 4 years after planting.
  • When a few ripe fruits are loose/ fall off, the bunch is ready for harvesting.
  • Processing over-ripe fruits reduces quantity and quality of oil.
  • A chisel is used for harvesting bunches from young palms.
  • The stalk of the bunch is struck hard with the chisel to cut off and push the bunch out.
  • When the palms become taller (from 10 year onwards) a harvesting hook has to be used.
  • When the palms are too tall, it is necessary to climb the palms for harvesting.