Project

Sustainable beef production in Indonesia: Integration of oil palm and beef cattle production

Phd project of Ikhsan Shiddieqy. Feed is one of the major economic factors influencing the profitability of beef cattle farming. In addition to waste from the oil palm industry, the undergrowth vegetation composition in oil palm plantations can also serve as a source of feed for ruminants. The primary objective of this study is to explore oil palm-cattle integration systems for sustainable beef production in Indonesia.

The potential of integrating oil palm and livestock production has not been seriously considered by major palm oil stakeholders in Indonesia. An important concern is that grazing cattle in oil palm fields may lead to soil compaction, which may depress oil palm yields. Another concern is that grazing cattle may favour the spread of oil palm diseases such as basal stem rot caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense. In general, a significant gap exists in scientific evidence regarding the potential positive and adverse impacts of oil palm-cattle integration.

The primary objective of this study is to explore benefits and challenges of oil palm-cattle integration for sustainable beef production in Indonesia. The specific objectives are:

  • to analyse the potential contribution of using biomass from oil palm plantations to regional cattle production;
  • to assess the relationship between grazing and soil compaction, while examining potential improvements in soil quality;
  • to determine the association between cattle presence and the incidence of Ganoderma in oil palm plantations;
  • to explore stakeholder perceptions regarding oil palm-cattle integration and identify factors limiting the adoption of this system and
  • to evaluate the cattle production within integrated oil palm-cattle systems.

Parts of this PhD project will be conducted at the oil palm plantation company PT Buana Karya Bhakti located in Satui, South Kalimantan. This company uses rotational grazing with Brahman crossbred cattle. This study will employ both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study on assessing regional cattle production based on feed resources, soil compaction and quality, Ganoderma observation, and yield gap analysis for cattle will use quantitative approach, while the interviews on stakeholder perception will use both quantitative and qualitative approach. Data collection methods will include soil, manure and pathogen sampling, surveys, interviews, and on-site observations.