SECOND SCHEDULE EIA FOR THE PROPOSED LOGGING AND OIL PALM PLANTATION AT PT 11675 (854.31 HECTARES) IN MUKIM KERATONG DISTRICT OF ROMPIN, PAHANG DARULMAKMUR

CHAPTER 4 PROJECT OPTIONS 4 PROJECT OPTIONS

The aim of this project is to bring development and economic benefit to the State of Pahang, thus the Project Options as in Build-Out and No-Build Options were also given due consideration as required in the EIA Guidelines.

4.1 SITE OPTION

The selection of this proposed project site is based on the economic need for converting the land to a land use with economic value by planting palm oil trees which can generate revenue to the state. Department of Forestry Pahang State through a letter dated 24th July 2018 with reference number PHN.PHG.100.21/4/11/643 (5) has granted an approval to APSB to develop this 854.31 ha with oil palm plantation projects.

Soil categories for this site which is Rengam Series and Durian Series shows that this area are suitable for palm oil plantation based on “Panduan Mengenali Siri-Siri Tanah Utama Di Semenanjung Malaysia published by Ministry of Agriculture Malaysia”, 2008.

In addition into that, this site which was licensed in 2006 is considered as Kawasan Sudah Kerja. Thus no other site is available to be developing as oil palm plantation.

4.2 PROJECT OPTIONS

4.2.1 Build-Out Option

The advantages from Build-Out Option would mean that the project will materialise as planned and all the resource potential of the field can be increased and will generate economic benefits to sustain the oil palm industries and revenue to the country. Meanwhile, the oil palm industry is one of the major contributors to Malaysia’s economy and this project will ensure the continued economic growth of the country and the well- being of the people and the state. Besides, this project also will provide job opportunities to the people living in the area and the villagers can contribute in this project as workers or providing food supply or machineries hence enabling them to increase their household income.

As for the disadvantages from this Built-Out Option, the opening of new plantation area will threat on species survival through deforestation. In addition, the removal of acres of rainforest threatens the biodiversity in these finely balanced ecosystems, along with the habitat of species.

Meanwhile, the removal of the important structures allows heavy rains to wash away nutrient-rich soil together with excessive fertilizers and pesticides that will be used during the operation phase of this project. Hence this will affect the soil and water quality. However the disadvantages in relation to soil erosion, fertiliser and pesticides application can be minimize through an efficient mitigation plan.

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4.2.2 No-Build Option

The No-Build Option would give advantages in term of environment aspects because the area will not be disturb hence the forest tree and wildlife will be maintained. Since there is no oil palm project there, the soil and water quality also will not be affected. Failure of implementing this project would basically reduce the oil palm based revenue which is a high revenue sources for the nation as Malaysia is one of the palm oil exporters. In addition this site will remain as abandoned area after been left as Kawasan Sudah Kerja (KSK).

In summary, non-implementation of the project will affect the revenue and consequently loss of additional economic and other benefits to the State Government, including the following: -

a) Loss of employment opportunities related to the planting and operational activities of the project; b) Loss of revenue to the Federal Government of Malaysia and the Pahang State Government; and c) Loss of spin-off economic/business opportunities for oil palm industries, suppliers of materials and equipment, and oil palm service providers.

4.3 TECHNOLOGY OPTION

During logging and site clearing activities, equipment and vehicles to be used are tractor, bulldozers, excavators and lorry. Chainsaw are used for cutting the trees during clearing activities.

Planting methods will be in line with the modern technique and common practices for palm oil plantations in Malaysia which includes field lining and holing, culling, transplanting and cover crop establishment. Standards established by MPOB shall be adopted for a successful and healthy plantation in order to produce quality fruits. Other applicable technology options are:  Eco-friendly farming practices such as reducing pesticide use and more efficient use of irrigation systems.  Soil erosion should be minimized through good agricultural methods.  Control the rate, manner and type of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers.  Land cover planting to reduce erosion along river banks and drains.

4.4 RAW MATERIALS OPTION

Raw materials options include nursery , cover crop, fertilizer and pesticide.

Nursery Plants

The young nursery plants will be transported in polybags. The number of plants to be planted is estimated to be approximately 60 trees per acre. Planting will be carried out manually and excavators will be used, but only when necessary. After the young trees have been planted the unused polybags will be buried onsite.

Cover Crop

Cover crop which is known as Bracteata was selected for the plantation. This type of species was suggested as the cover crop for oil palm tree. It is a leguminous which is best known as a nitrogen regulating plant for agro-ecosystems including rubber trees, oil palm, and plantations. Cover crop helps to cover and shield the soil from weeds or plants, as well as providing rapid growth for existing agricultural crops, prevent soil erosion, and provide .

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The main functions of such ground cover are to protect the soil from erosion and enrich the organic matter; the latter improves the soil structure leading to better aeration, infiltration and retention of moisture. Moreover, it has potential to increase soil fertility and health through the processes of natural soil fertilization and aeration. The planting method is by using seedling bought from nurseries outside of the site most probably from Rompin or within Pahang/Johor.

Fertilizer and Pesticide

Other raw materials are fertilizers and pesticides. The application will be carried out as a normal maintenance practice for a healthy grows of the plant. The usual practice of fertilizer usage is by once in every three (3) months. The most common of fertilizer used will have N:P:K of 15:15:15. The amount of each fertilizer was specified. For the first year there will be 200 g, for the second year is 0.5 kg and the third year will be 1 kg.

Nitrogen will help plant foliage to grow strong, phosphorous helps roots and flowers to grow and develop while potassium (Potash) is important for the overall plant health. For pesticides, the recommended type is Roundup which is based of Glyphosate by using mechanical pump. Roundup (Glyphosphate) was chosen due to its properties as a highly effective weed-killer, safe to users and minimal impact to the environment.

4.5 PLANTATION METHOD OPTIONS

Planting pattern and terracing needs are usually determined by the degree of slope. The project area is in undulating terrain between 80 m and 280 m above mean sea-level. About 81.0% (1,718.36 ha) of the area lies on the slope steepness less than 15°.

In order to facilitate mechanization and to improve soil or water conservation, mechanical terrace- paths will be constructed in between palm rows along the contour. The planting options will be considered depending on the slope degree.

4.6 LAYOUT OPTIONS

The layout will consider the best drainage for the plantation and minimize alteration of existing drainage pattern. Terracing where required will have to be considered and minimal cutting is to be implemented to reduce erosion.

As for access road within the site, it will use the existing earth road and will be regularly maintained to allow for proper access for the logging and plantation. Type of the off road developed will be earth road made from laterite material. Laterite is a highly weathered material, rich in secondary oxides of iron, aluminum, or both.

For drainage systems, shallow drains can reduce excess water and maintain the high groundwater table.

Oil palm development stage No. of oil palm rows between two parallel field drains Immature (1 to 3 years old) >8 Young mature (4 to 7 years old) 8 Fully mature (>8 years old) 4 Source: Guidance on Drainage Construction by MPOB (2011)

• Optimal water level management at 50-70 cm (in collection drain) results in a yield potential of 25-30 mt FFB/ha/yr. It is important to ensure that this water level is present in all collection drains; • A flooded field will hinder all estate operations and add to methane/nitrogen oxide emissions;

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 A flooded field will hinder all estate operations and add to methane/nitrogen oxide emissions;  Weirs or water control structures with over-flows should be installed at strategic locations along the main and collection drains to achieve this water-level; and  The number of weirs will depend on the topography. They are best installed at every 20 cm drop in elevation. Soil bags and logs can be used to construct such weirs.

4.7 ALIGNMENT OPTIONS

Any plantation project would maximize the land usage. The boundary of this project and approval was obtained from Land Office.

However, the alignment of the palm oil trees is designed based on the topographic profile to prevent future soil erosion. The distance between the trees is fixed in order to acquire the maximum sunlight, air and water captures and also aids in disease controls. The best density can be achieved with distance between plants of 9 ft. The best yield could also be acquired through this alignment.

4.8 OPERATION OPTIONS

The main concern during operations is the use of fertilizer and agrochemicals. Thus the usage will be in accordance with the approved industry practices for use in the oil palm plantations in Malaysia. The proposed fertiliser type and applications are as follows:

 Fertilizer usage: once in every three months  N:P:K of 15:15:15  Amount of fertilizer used : 200 g / 1 year 0.5 kg / 2 year 1.0 kg / 3 year

 Type of pesticides : Roundup  Method usage of pesticides : Mechanical pump  Frequency of pesticides used : Manufacturer recommendation

Advantage of NPK 15:15:15

NPK 15:15:15 is used for the preparation of complex mineral fertilizers NPK which is fertilizer mixtures. NPK 15:15:15 is a balanced linear formula for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). It offers all the basic nutrients to agricultural and horticultural crops which increase plant resistance to drought and diseases. NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer has fast solubility in water, with very little residue in order to assures uniform spreading on soil. Fertilizer NPK 15:15:15 is non- toxic and non-explosive. It was transported by all types of surface transport.

Types of pesticides (Roundup)

The primary active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate acid, a fast-acting contact herbicide. Glyphosate kills weeds by blocking proteins essential to plant growth. Glyphosate is an herbicide. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses. The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulate plant growth and ripen fruit. The glyphosate contains formic acid and several salts. It is a non selective herbicide and stops a specific enzyme pathway.

The original Roundup® herbicide allowed farmers to kill almost every weed that emerged from the soil, thus decreasing the need for tilling to control weeds and suffering soil erosion in the process.

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General Field upkeep for development of oil palm plantations

First phase is immature phase where best management practices are applied to expedite the field for planting phase. During this phase, there is a need to eliminate the trunks and palm with missing point. The objective of immature phase is to accelerate the onset of crop production and to address plantation yield gaps. Proper implementation of best management practices during this phase will deliver the high yield through life cycle of plantation.

Any unhealthy or dead oil palm trees need to be replaced immediately with new seedling. This is followed by weed control and these young palms are normally done manually as the use of herbicides can be dangerous using the circle wedding method.

There are four (4) types of weeding operation which are circle weeding, strip weeding, selective spot weeding, and periodic control of legume.

De-creeping

Another necessary estate practice would be calibrating and checking to ensure the correct dosage of herbicides to be utilized for each type of equipment prior to the actual weeding work. It should be emphasized that the quality of herbicide application (correct dosage, proper usage of equipment and correct area of application) should precede that of quantity or productivity (how many hectares a person or equipment can do in a day) of applying the herbicides. It would be of no use spraying a large area but not getting the desired kill as inevitably, the job has to be repeated.

Harvesting

Harvesting involves the cutting of the bunch from the tree and allowing it to fall to the ground by gravity. Care must be taken to ensure that the fruits have minimal damaged. As the bunch (weighing about 25 kg) falls to the ground, the impact bruises the fruit. During loading and unloading of bunches into and out of transport containers there are further opportunities for the fruit to be bruised thus care is to be taken to ensure that damages to the fruit bunches are kept to a minimal by employing trained people or training will be provided on fruit handling for those employed for the harvesting process.

Transportation of Fresh Fruit Bunches to Oil Mills

The common vehicles used for in-field collection of oil palm fruits is the dump truck. All the harvested oil palm fruit is expected to be sub-contracted by the project proponent to the selected contractor to collect and transport the harvested oil palm fruit from the proposed project site to the buyers.

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