Road in Melabau Cepatwawasan at about 10 degree slope.
Farm tractor usually stuck when it reach this point.Most plantations in Sabah Land Below the Wind are undulating to hilly. Only a few with flat to undulating area. For me, road construction is most important in ensuring better plantation's performance in future. It can saves life too.
My experience in some of Kwantas Plantations Estate and in Cepatwawasan, I faced a great challenge arising from bad roads. Sometime I ask what in the mind of the manager allowing the construction of road like that.
Here are some consideration when planning and designing road for oil palm plantation:
Not too steep: the inclination must be less than10 degree.
Not too far apart: the best is 14 to 16 palms apart to facilitate better maintenance such as manuring and harvesting.
Be constructed first before terracing.
Chambered with proper side drain.
All these consideration will help:
Reducing vehicle maintenance costs and breakdown
Reduce road maintenance costs
Increase vehicle efficiency
Increase workers productivity thus motivating them.
Save time
Save life
To make better roads a reality a manager should get a consensus from bottom, the machine operators, and up the top management. Here, the operators, staffs and supervisors, and managers were called to attend the lecture on Better Road Constructions and Designs by Senior Manager Mr. Jumiran Muin.
Note the road at the back has an inclination of 6 degree.
Senior Manager giving lecture.
Audience
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