The study on rat damages on the fresh fruit bunches in cattle-oil palm integration project

The oil palm industry in Malaysia has expanded swiftly from 60,000 ha in 1964 to 5 million ha in 2011. More than 80% of the matured areas may provide enormous opportunity for integration with livestock. This is to maximize the exploitation of such production resources as feeds, land and workforce. Cattle integration system in oil palm plantation offers one of the best options to increase local beef and dairy supply. Studies and observations on cattle-oil palm integration have shown promising benefits in terms of reducing the damages and infestation by rats and chemical costs, as well as improved biological and agro ecosystem impact. A case study on the rat damages on the fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in cattle-oil palm integration project was conducted at Estet Pekebun Kecil (ESPEK) Sdn Bhd plantations. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of cattle-oil palm integration system (COPIS) in oil palm plantation on rat damages towards fresh fruit bunches. The study comprised of data collection of rat damages on FFB from COPIS plantation plot and from not implement COPIS plantation plot. The results showed that the implementation of cattle into the plantation by integration system will contribute in reducing the rat damages and rats population.