TELUK INTAN: Practice makes perfect. This aptly describes Nor Firdaus Tuah, who has been using a boat to harvest fresh fruit bunches at his oil palm plantation in Kampung Batu 7 1/2, Sungai Baung, Changkat Jong, here, for the past 16 years.
The 28-year-old Teluk Intan native said that although the method is somewhat dangerous, it remains the best option to prevent part of his crop, planted near Sungai Bidor, from being stolen or rotting after being submerged in floodwaters.
“My father taught me to use this method when I was 12. Whenever the flood season arrives, we take a boat to harvest fruit from trees submerged in water.
“It is quite risky because we have to get into the water to collect the fruit, while also facing the threat of sharp timber and venomous animals. However, we have no other choice, and believe this is the best way to minimise the risk of losses,” he said, Bernama reported.
The father of two said operating a boat heavily laden with oil palm fruit requires great care to maintain its balance and prevent untoward incidents.
“Any mistake in balancing the load or a collision with submerged tree stumps could cause the boat to spin and capsize,” he added.
Nor Firdaus spends six hours a day harvesting oil palm fruit at the approximately six-hectare plantation, accompanied by his assistant Ishak Idris, 40.
He said the harvested fruit is then loaded onto the boat and transported to the riverbank, where it is gathered before being sold to local dealers.
“Usually, I work from around 8am to 2pm, and the harvesting process can continue for up to 21 days. If all goes well, we can harvest about four to five tonnes a day throughout that period,” he said.
Commenting on the impact of the floods on crop yields, he said oil palm production could decline by between 60% and 80% compared with normal conditions.
“During the flood season, being able to salvage even part of the harvest is already valuable. At least our efforts to brave the floodwaters can save the oil palm fruit from being left behind to rot,” he added.
