Documentation by Katadata
Jakarta - Weather anomalies pose a challenge to the productivity of oil palm plantations. As a country situated between two oceans—the Indian and Pacific—various weather phenomena occur periodically. For instance, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climate phenomenon caused by changes in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) refers to the difference in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern parts of the Indian Ocean.
These two climate anomalies can lead to rainfall levels that are either below or above normal conditions. Recently, in Indonesia, the IOD occurred between 2022 and 2023, while ENSO—which consists of La Niña (when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean drop below normal) happened in 2022, and El Niño (when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise above normal) took place from late 2023 to early 2024.
To further understand the impact of climate phenomena on oil palm plantations, PT Teladan Prima Agro Tbk (TLDN) or TPA once again held the Teladan Talk event with the theme In-depth Climate Identification & Oil Palm Production Projection for 2025 on January 24, 2025. This fourth Teladan Talk featured Nuzul Hijri Darlan, a Senior Expert from the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS), as the guest speaker.
Nuzul stated that climate factors (air temperature, solar radiation, and rainfall) determine the productivity of oil palm plantations, particularly in the number of fruit bunches, their weight, and their oil content. In the context of ENSO and IOD, the impacts of these two phenomena become evident 1–2 years after the weather anomaly occurs. This means that the effects of ENSO and IOD will influence productivity in 2024 and 2025.
However, Nuzul noted that, geographically, ENSO significantly impacts East Kalimantan, which is the operational area of TPA, whereas IOD tends to affect oil palm plantations in Sumatra. He explained that La Niña can disrupt photosynthesis activities if heavy morning rainfall blocks solar radiation. Additionally, infrastructure such as roads may also be affected, leading to delays in the harvesting process.
"The impact of excessive rainfall is more related to production losses due to external factors than the plants themselves. During La Niña in East Kalimantan, rainfall remains within a reasonable threshold, so it does not significantly affect photosynthesis," Nuzul explained.
On the other hand, Nuzul highlighted that El Niño, which is part of ENSO, tends to impact oil palm plantations in East Kalimantan. When droughts caused by El Niño last for more than three months, short-term production declines can reach approximately 3%-5% due to delays in fruit bunch ripening. In the medium term, drought can lead to female flower abortion, fruit bunch failure, and a decline in fruit quality, causing a production decrease of about 5%. Over the long term, the risk of El Niño can result in a 5%-10% reduction in production, marked by an increased emergence of male flowers.
Nuzul suggested several strategies to minimize production losses and mitigate the effects of drought. First, use superior seedlings resistant to disease, drought, and pests. Second, water resources can be managed by building irrigation systems around operational areas and harvesting rainwater during the wet season for use during dry periods. Third, soil management practices such as ground cover management should be implemented, and organic matter and biofertilizers should be applied.
"In line with these strategies, we also conduct systematic climate monitoring using weather measurement tools and tracking climatology websites to analyze monthly and yearly climate patterns. Based on this monitoring, we analyze historical data, allowing us to develop strategies to minimize production declines during ENSO or even maintain growth in the following years," said Nuzul.
She further advised that seed watering and transplanting seedlings from pre-nursery to the main nursery should be avoided during drought periods. Another tip she shared is that watering should be done efficiently at 1 liter per day per seedling, using a watering can instead of sprinklers, with the nozzle reduced to 8 cm. Additionally, pest monitoring and control, particularly for grasshoppers, should be intensified.
"Meanwhile, during dry periods, it is advisable to carry out road and drainage maintenance. He added that road and drainage improvements are more effective during the dry season," she added.
Overall, Nuzul stated that the rainfall conditions and the impact of the 2023–2024 El Niño on TPA remain within normal limits, with the dry season lasting only one month. Looking ahead to 2025, he predicted that weather conditions in East Kalimantan would stay in the normal range.
In the same discussion, the Head of the Operations Improvement & Research Division at TPA, Eko Dermawan, emphasized that climate is one of the key factors influencing oil palm productivity. Since climate cannot be controlled, effective and efficient management is crucial.
TPA has implemented precision agriculture through Teladan Productivity Technology Science (TPTS), ensuring productivity growth despite weather anomalies. Eko affirmed that TPA will continue to monitor climate conditions regularly to develop appropriate strategies for maintaining the company's oil palm plantation yields.
