RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN Paix – Travail – Patrie MINISTÈRE DE L'AGRICULTURE ET DU DÉVELOPPEMENT RURAL SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL DIRECTION DES ORGANISATIONS PROFESSIONNELLES AGRICOLES ET DE L'APPUI AUX EXPLOITATIONS AGRICOLES SOUS-DIRECTION DE LA VULGARISATION AGRICOLE
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REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Peace-Work-Fatherland MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIAT GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND SUPPORT TO FARM ENTERPRISES SUB-DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
# Palm plantation management technical and economic data sheet
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October 2024
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# SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE... 3
I. GENERAL INFORMATION... 3
II. TECHNICAL ITINERARY... 3
II.1. Choosing a planting site... 3
II.2. Soil preparation... 4
a) Land clearing and felling... 4 b) Planting cover crops... 4 c) Staking out... 4 d) Hole digging... 5
II.3. Transportation of plant materials... 5
II.4. Planting of seedlings... 5
II.5. Maintenance of a palm plantation... 6
a) Pre-production palm plantation (≤ 3 years old)... 6 b) Palm plantation in production (more than 3 years old)... 6
II.6. Fertilisation... 6
a) Pre-production palm plantation (≤ 3 years old)... 6 b) Palm plantation in production (more than 3 years old)... 7
II.7. Harvesting of bunches... 7
II.8. Post-harvest activities... 8
II.9. Packaging and storage... 8
II.10. Various products and by-products... 8
III. PROVISIONAL OPERATING ACCOUNT (01 HA)... 9
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# OBJECTIVE
The aim of this data sheet is to provide rural stakeholders involved in palm oil production with a compendium of good practices, whose implementation will help increase the productivity and production of palm oil in Cameroon.
# I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a perennial plant cultivated mainly for its fruit, from which fats are extracted (palm oil from the pulp and palm kernel oil from the kernel). It is very sensitive to the prevailing site agroecological conditions (soil, rainfall, humidity, temperature, sunshine, wind, etc.).
Oil palm yields are optimised when grown under the best agroecological conditions, that is:
- high temperatures throughout the year, between 25 and 28° C;
- at least 5 hours of sunshine per day;
- 1,800 - 2,400 mm rainfall per year and no continuing drought for more than 90 days. Excess rainfall is well tolerated as long as soils are well drained;
- Oil palms prefer rich, well-drained soils, but tolerate poor soils if fertilisation is provided;
- Low altitude, ideally below 500 m: It grows well in areas with a minimum annual rainfall of 1,800 mm, which must be well distributed throughout the year.
Do not plant oil palm where drought can cause an average annual water deficit of 500 mm, unless an irrigation system has been provided or unless the site groundwater table is close to the surface.
Generally, oil palm grows best in slightly acidic, well-drained, loose soils with a high-water retention capacity (sandy-clay), and where there are no major gradient or incline (slight or no slopes and altitudes of less than 800 m).