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| Sunday, 6 April 2003 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Fertilising coconut plantations As a former planter, I wish to share my experiences on fertilising coconut plantations with those in the trade for the benefit of mostly smallholders. Being an extremely important and vital exercise, which is very costly as well, it should be methodically undertaken during wet weather, on which future crops will depend. For this purpose, I have designed a system where upto 125x50 kg. bags of fertiliser could be distributed within a day, with a work force of around 10, with a tractor for internal transport. The mode of application is an aluminium pan or latex dish (RSS) where around eight kilos of fertiliser could be accommodated. Accordingly, if the rate of application is three or four kilos per palm, fertiliser for two trees could be taken by one worker at a time, applying half the quantity per palm. When distributing the fertiliser, the dishes should be held similar to the way women carry pots of water. The fertiliser should be sprinkled around the palm on the manuring circle in one round with open fingers. This method would enable the fertiliser to be distributed evenly and lump-free and would cost less. The fertiliser transported by tractor for distribution should be unloaded two to three bags at a time and given to workers in the trays used for application. A few extra dishes to keep the fertiliser ready for collection would expedite the work. If 10 are employed for the task, two should be used in the tractor for distribution of fertiliser to the workers, while the others should be employed for distribution. They should go along with the tractor in individual rows. If this exercise is to be further expedited, the palms unsuitable for fertilising should be identified in advance, preventing waste of fertiliser and money. The distance from the tractor to the area being fertilised should be kept to a minimum, for quick application. The ground conditions should be satisfactory as well, for easy movement of workers. The advantage of this system is that a proprietor could visit his property and ensure that the total quantity of fertiliser supplied could be fully and correctly applied within a day in his presence to benefit his plantation. Accordingly, forking and mulching could also be arranged to follow simultaneously, which should be completed within the shortest possible time. This task, if undertaken according to the above guidelines, could be completed within five hours, achieving the best results. Tommy Wanigesinghe, Kurunegala |
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