The Importance of Harvesting Activities in Oil Palm Plantations

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 32 views

Calculation of the Cost of Producing Fresh Fruit Bunches (TBS) by Considering Value Added Activities in Harvesting Activities in PTPN IV Pabatu Palm Oil Plantation

Introduction

Palm oil is one of the main commodities in the plantation sector in Indonesia, with a wide range of uses, from cooking oil to diesel fuel and soap. The demand for oil palm is increasing, driven by the growth of derivative industries that rely on this product. To achieve optimal results, planting activities and maintenance of oil palm trees must be done appropriately, with the goal of producing high-quality palm trees that can produce fruit consistently.

The Importance of Harvesting Activities in Oil Palm Plantations

The harvesting of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) is a critical step in the production process of oil palm plantations. The activity of transporting FFB to the factory location is also an important step that should not be ignored. In this context, research was conducted to set the cost of FFB production by calculating activities that provide added value. This activity lasted for one month in one of the oil palm plantations in North Sumatra, with observations made for 10 days.

The Results of the Study

The results of the study showed a significant decrease in time in the activity of harvesting FFB. Previously, the time needed to harvest every Hancak (2.5 ha) was 5372 seconds, and after analysis of activities and the addition of auxiliary officers, that time was successfully reduced to 2295 seconds. In addition, in the process of transporting FFB to the factory, the time needed also experienced a slight decline, from 2488 seconds to 2462 seconds.

Economic Implications of the Study

In terms of economy, the results of this study recorded a significant decline in the cost of FFB production. The cost of production which was originally reached Rp 1,935.42/kg, based on company calculations, was successfully reduced to Rp 1,013/kg, which means there was a savings of 47.6%. This reduction in cost is not only beneficial to the company but also has a positive impact on farmers and local communities by creating employment and improving the regional economy.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

Reduction of time in production activities not only contributes to cost efficiency, but can also increase overall productivity. By reducing harvesting time, the company can maximize output in a shorter period. This means that more FFB can be harvested in less time, which in turn has the potential to increase income.

The addition of assistant officers in harvest activities is a strategic step. This shows that the efficient allocation of human resources can accelerate the production process and minimize errors that may occur if only relying on a harvest team. This action reflects the importance of human resource management in increasing productivity in the agricultural sector.

In addition, analysis of activities carried out can be a reference for other gardens in applying similar methods. Innovation in the process of harvesting and transporting FFB does not only benefit the company, but can also have a positive impact on farmers and local communities by creating employment and improving the regional economy.

Conclusion

Thus, this research not only focuses on calculating costs, but also illustrates the importance of efficiency in each stage of production. Companies that are able to conduct an ongoing evaluation and improvement in every production activity will have a competitive advantage in an increasingly fierce market. Improved performance in harvesting and transporting FFB activities is expected to be a model for other oil palm plantations in maximizing production and reducing costs, as well as answering the challenges of market demand that continues to increase.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

The company should continue to implement the addition of assistant officers in harvest activities to further reduce harvesting time and increase productivity.
The company should also consider implementing similar methods in other production activities to maximize output and reduce costs.
The company should conduct ongoing evaluation and improvement in every production activity to maintain a competitive advantage in the market.
The results of this study can be a reference for other oil palm plantations in implementing similar methods to maximize production and reduce costs.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study was conducted in only one oil palm plantation in North Sumatra, which may not be representative of other plantations in the region. Secondly, the study only focused on the harvesting and transporting activities, and did not consider other production activities that may also contribute to cost efficiency. Finally, the study only considered the economic implications of the study and did not consider other social and environmental implications.

Future Research Directions

Based on the results of this study, several future research directions can be identified. Firstly, the study can be replicated in other oil palm plantations in the region to confirm the findings of this study. Secondly, the study can be expanded to consider other production activities that may also contribute to cost efficiency. Finally, the study can be conducted in other regions to consider the social and environmental implications of the study.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that the addition of assistant officers in harvest activities can significantly reduce harvesting time and increase productivity. The study has also shown that the efficient allocation of human resources can accelerate the production process and minimize errors. The results of this study can be a reference for other oil palm plantations in implementing similar methods to maximize production and reduce costs.
Q&A: Calculation of the Cost of Producing Fresh Fruit Bunches (TBS) by Considering Value Added Activities in Harvesting Activities in PTPN IV Pabatu Palm Oil Plantation

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to calculate the cost of producing fresh fruit bunches (TBS) by considering value added activities in harvesting activities in PTPN IV Pabatu Palm Oil Plantation.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it provides a detailed analysis of the cost of producing TBS in PTPN IV Pabatu Palm Oil Plantation. The study also highlights the importance of value added activities in harvesting activities in reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study are:

The addition of assistant officers in harvest activities can significantly reduce harvesting time and increase productivity.
The efficient allocation of human resources can accelerate the production process and minimize errors.
The cost of producing TBS can be reduced by 47.6% through the implementation of value added activities in harvesting activities.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are:

The study provides a model for other oil palm plantations to implement similar methods to maximize production and reduce costs.
The study highlights the importance of human resource management in increasing productivity in the agricultural sector.
The study provides a reference for other gardens in applying similar methods to reduce costs and increase productivity.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are:

The study was conducted in only one oil palm plantation in North Sumatra, which may not be representative of other plantations in the region.
The study only focused on the harvesting and transporting activities, and did not consider other production activities that may also contribute to cost efficiency.
The study only considered the economic implications of the study and did not consider other social and environmental implications.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions are:

Replicating the study in other oil palm plantations in the region to confirm the findings of this study.
Expanding the study to consider other production activities that may also contribute to cost efficiency.
Conducting the study in other regions to consider the social and environmental implications of the study.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study are:

The company should continue to implement the addition of assistant officers in harvest activities to further reduce harvesting time and increase productivity.
The company should also consider implementing similar methods in other production activities to maximize output and reduce costs.
The company should conduct ongoing evaluation and improvement in every production activity to maintain a competitive advantage in the market.

Q: What are the benefits of this study?

A: The benefits of this study are:

The study provides a detailed analysis of the cost of producing TBS in PTPN IV Pabatu Palm Oil Plantation.
The study highlights the importance of value added activities in harvesting activities in reducing costs and increasing productivity.
The study provides a model for other oil palm plantations to implement similar methods to maximize production and reduce costs.

Q: What are the challenges of this study?

A: The challenges of this study are:

The study was conducted in a single oil palm plantation, which may not be representative of other plantations in the region.
The study only focused on the harvesting and transporting activities, and did not consider other production activities that may also contribute to cost efficiency.
The study only considered the economic implications of the study and did not consider other social and environmental implications.