The training focused on two major areas of BMP, which are yield making and yield taking. The facilitator explained that yield making involves practices such as circle weeding, inter-row weeding, pruning, fertilizer application and ablation. Ablation was explained as the removal of all inflorescences from young oil palm trees during a limited period of the immature stage. The facilitator explained that the purpose of ablation is to achieve greater uniformity and bigger fruit bunch sizes at harvest.

Yield taking was also discussed and it involves harvesting, recovery of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) and loose fruits, as well as FFB evacuation. The facilitator advised the CMs and EAs on the importance of proper harvesting and informed them that the normal harvesting interval for FFB is 10 days. They were encouraged to ensure that farmers maintain the appropriate harvesting interval to reduce losses and ensure good fruit quality.

The facilitator also emphasized the importance of field audits as part of BMP. The CMs and EAs were advised to regularly assess the farms of their Smallholder Farmers (SHFs) to ensure that the recommended management practices are being properly carried out. A practical field audit was conducted during the training to give the participants a better understanding of how to assess and monitor farmers’ farms.

Several questions were raised by the CMs and EAs during the training, and the facilitator provided detailed explanations and practical answers to ensure that the participants understood the various topics discussed.

The training ended with practical demonstrations on how to properly carry out ablation on young oil palm trees and how to apply fertilizer. The practical sessions helped to further improve the participants’ understanding of the practices discussed during the training.

Overall, the training was informative and practical. The participants gained a better understanding of the importance of Best Management Practices in improving oil palm productivity and agreed to pass the knowledge gained to the farmers in their respective zones