Plantation Challanges

Plantation is mysterious place. Many things happens unnoticeable. People used to give reasons even ridiculous one. The days of military-like management has gone and replaced by more lenient and complacent management.

Complacency is the enemy of progress. Managers do not have time to check all operation in the plantation. The plantation is then divided into smaller units where each units will be supervised by a field supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for the small area and to solve problems within their capacity.

Most managers cannot accept reasons what they want is results. Field staffs must carry out any tasks given without fail. I was brought-up in military-like management where people have to do thing fast, effective and efficient. Respects is in the blood of planters and its subordinate. All these had change to weak management approach for plantation.

The "Big Guy" should device more accurate and systematic approach to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of their managers. Weaknesses can not be tolerated. Complacency is the mother of evil.

Land Development Completed!

A couple of years ago, this land were a jungle. During development lots of bitter sweet experience that shall remain untold. Now we can see it green and promising. The company implements many rules and regulations to control everything. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 were implemented to form an Integrated Management System (IMS).

I am no longer a GIS draftsman but part of management implementing all these standards. The challenges is great but I am glad to be back in action again.

Deadly Trap For Dog

GPS Team

The GPS team on estate main office veranda after briefing.

Iresistible

This animal is mouthwatering for many people. Any chance they saw this deer they will spring on their feet and chase it even if they're barefooted and armed only with machete. So irresistible that they forgot about that this animal is protected by law.

Oil Palm's Pest, Man's Feast

Wild Boar and porcupine are among mammalian pest that caused extensive damage on young oil palm. The damages is so serious that the attacked seedling or the palm planted in the field is at total loss. Other mammalian pest including macac, and elephant.

Nevertheless, these pests are delicacies for human especially the hunter. Management usually in a dilemma whether to kill or not to kill.

Paid For Sleeping

Earlier morning I scolded a field supervisor for his reluctance of sorting and arranging of returned empty fertilizer bags. As an estate supervisor one must be willing to do what he ask people to do, he must lead the people because the behavior of his people will reflect his.

While sitting at my desk, I saw the construction workers through my open window, sleeping. Some people have sleeping problem even on the most comfortable bed, but these people (shown in the picture) can sleep on hard plank, without pillow, at 9:30am during working hours.

A big slap for their superior.

BONGGAYA, BONGGAYA, BONGGAYA

Storm...

Sorry.... video deleted by authority.

Leopard In Bonggaya Forest Reserve

The day before Chinese New Year festival I went to our smallest unit of Natural Forest Management (NFM) area for the purpose of updating the GPS record in my database. While negotiating a sharp corner and bad road condition I saw a leopard in the middle of the road staring at the car. I quickly look for my camera and when I look back the leopard is gone. Carefully I scan the area and I notice the leopard camouflaged in the felled tree canopy. The next minute it already beside the car curiously looking at me. Then the leopard walk slowly in the forest after few minute. If I take motorcycle as usual instead of car that day, the leopard might keep me that day.

Kota Belud Flood Update

As I wait for the flood to recede, I am enjoying the noise made by children cheering while playing in the flood water. May be I will go back to Bonggaya Forest tommorow on 19 Jan 2010 since the flood in Rumidi area in Sapi is still deep.