Comparative research between usage of buffalo assisted in-field collection (BAIC) with mini-tractor grabber (MTG) and three-wheeler machine at selected oil palm estate / Nor Nadia Mohd Nazari

Through the past two decades, the number of machines used in oil palm estates has increased since it can overcome the labor shortage, particularly for the harvesting and collecting of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs). However, the cost of the machinery is high, and the sustainability of palm oil has been controversial because the diesel fuel from machinery has increased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Thus, the main purpose of this research is to determine whether BAIC (Buffalo Assisted In-Field Collection) is effective in collecting FFBs from estates located in Malaysia. Therefore, specific objectives emerged to explore the advantages of the BAIC before and during the operation, to compare the effectiveness in terms of cost, productivity, and labor reduction of the BAIC with MTG and three-wheeler machines, and to explore the perceptions of the estate’s management (manager, assistant manager, and supervisor) regarding the BAIC as an environmentally friendly harvesting machine. This research focuses on interviewing, observation, secondary data analysis, and time and motion study methods. Findings from this research show that the advantages of using BAIC are that it is easy to tame, easy to train, and simple to determine the durability of a buffalo. Moreover, BAIC can save a lot of costs, particularly maintenance and fuel costs, and it is consistent when it comes to use in the estate since it usually does not suffer serious breakage to the point that it cannot be used compared to the MTG and three-wheeler machines. Furthermore, according to the observation, the division of labor (DOL) system for BAIC does not show labor exploitation. Lastly, for environmental conservation, the BAIC promotes a green environment. Therefore, the usage of BAIC should be reintroduced since its level of cost, productivity, and environmental sustainability meet the success factors of BAIC usage.