Time and Motion Studies of Manual Harvesting Methods for Oil Palm Fruit Bunches: A Malaysian Case Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizaroyani Saibani ◽  
Ariff Azly Muhamed ◽  
Mohd Faizal Maliami ◽  
Rasyidah Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Time Study ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Time And Motion Studies ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Harvesting Technique ◽  
Motion Studies ◽  
Harvesting Process

In optimizing the yield of oil palm fruit bunches collection, the mechanization of the collection process is very important. However, before the analysis of the cost benefits of any mechanization development can be utilized, this study has to be carried out. Time and Motion Studies (TMS) is used to identify and measure the efficiency of the oil palm fruit bunches’ manual harvesting technique. The Direct Time Study Technique has been selected to determine and record the time taken by the harvester to harvest the oil palm fruit bunches, where the tool used in this technique is a stopwatch, alongside the Time Study Observation Sheet. Meanwhile, to examine the motions used by the harvester in the harvesting process, the Therblig’s Motion Principle is applied to identify effective and non- effective motions. A field work study has been conducted by monitoring two harvesters and all the real time data is recorded in the time study observation sheet and analyzed to get a value of Normal Time (NT) and also Standard Time (ST) for each work element involved in the manual harvesting process of palm oil. There are seven work elements that have been identified to have been used by the harvester to complete the process, the first element  is searching for the mature palm oil tree (NT= 40.73 seconds), the second element  is adjusting the Aluminium Pole and Knife (APK) cutter (NT= 23.36 seconds), the third element is cutting the oil palm’s frond (NT= 51.30 seconds), the fourth element is cutting  the mature oil palm’s bunches (NT= 60.26 seconds), the fifth element is collecting the oil palm’s frond that  has been cut (NT= 21.69 seconds), the sixth element is putting the oil palm’s bunches that have been cut  into the wheel barrow (NT= 34.25 seconds) and the seventh element  is collecting the loose oil palm fruits or called fruitlets (NT= 77.49 seconds). The study also categorized a few non-effective work elements carried out during the manual harvesting process. The elements are: searching for the oil palm trees that have mature oil palm bunches, adjusting the APK cutter and also collecting the loose oil palm fruitlets off the ground.

An EMG Study for the Application of New Harvesting Oil Palm Fruit Device to Reduce MSDs

2015 ◽  
Vol 786 ◽  
pp. 393-397
Author(s):  
Roejhan Md Kawi ◽  
Z.B. Razali ◽  
Muhammad Naufal Mansor ◽  
C.D.M. Asyraf
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
New Device ◽  
Harvesting Process ◽  
Oil Palm Industry ◽  
Awkward Posture ◽  
Conventional Device

Farm workers in the Oil Palm industry in Malaysia are extremely exposed to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which is directly affected to the production outputs. This paper is to discuss the way to reduce the MSDs biomechanical load by using a new design of ergonomic palm oil fruit harvesting device. According to the observation, manual harvesting process by using conventional device or device was highly risk to undergo MSDs due to repetitive awkward posture. Thus, new device is proposed for reducing the effect of MSDs. Electromyography (EMG) evaluation was conducted to determine the reliability and the efficiency of the proposed method to reduce the risk of MSDs. Results of EMG show that the using of the proposed device provides less pain compare to the conventional device.

scholarly journals The Costs of Home-Based ART Initiation and Mobile Refill in Uganda

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S436-S436
Author(s):  
D Allen Roberts ◽  
Stephen Asiimwe ◽  
Bosco Turyamureeba ◽  
Ruanne Barnabas
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Outreach Worker ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Time And Motion Studies ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Motion Studies

Abstract Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective at reducing HIV-associated morbidity, mortality, and transmission, but 20 million people who meet WHO eligibility criteria for ART are not in care. While decentralized care is a promising strategy to expand ART access, the costs of implementing a community-based model on a large scale remain unknown. Methods The DO-ART study is a randomized trial of community- vs. clinic-centered ART delivery in South Africa and Uganda using 12-month viral suppression as the primary outcome. We evaluated the costs of home-based ART initiation and refill in southwest Uganda using time-and-motion studies, staff interviews, and budgetary analysis. Costs categories included medications, supplies, personnel, building and utilities, start-up, vehicles, and community mobilization. We used a programmatic perspective with a 3% discount rate and removed research-associated costs. Results The largest cost categories included medications, supplies, and salaries, constituting 41%, 27%, and 17% of the total cost, respectively. Time-and-motion studies revealed that each outreach worker could serve an average of three patients per day in a fully decentralized model. In a scenario of providing home-based ART to 1400 patients aross seven sub-counties, the yearly per-patient cost was estimated to be $304 (2016 USD), which is similar to literature reports of the costs of facility-based ART provision. Conclusion These estimates suggest that home-based ART may be a realistic delivery option, especially if it is found to be effective at improving viral suppression. Further research is needed to evaluate how this intervention can most efficiently scale to provide widespread ART access over a large geographic area. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Improved water footprint of oil palm products using eddy covariance measurements of evapotranspiration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Herz ◽  
Ana Meijide ◽  
Christian Stiegler ◽  
Bunyod Holmatov ◽  
Alexander Knohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Palm Oil Biodiesel

<p>The global population growth and changes in human lifestyle and consumption patterns put immense pressure on the limited freshwater resources in the world. Aiming at sustainable use and equitable allocation of the water resources, it becomes crucial to know the water appropriation for the production of different commodities and consumer goods. These days, oil palm (<em>Elaeis guineensis</em>) is one of the highest-demanded crops around the globe since the oil of its fruits and kernel is widely used as biofuel and major ingredients in food and cosmetic industries. Given this massive demand, the areas under oil palm cultivation in the tropics have continuously been expanding in the last decades, particularly in Indonesia. With the oil palm boom, not only biodiversity loss, and carbon dioxide emissions from deforestation have been increasing, but also the consumptions of blue and green water resources are of concern. </p><p>In this ongoing research, the concept of water footprint (WF) is employed to quantify the green and blue water use of oil palm production in the Bajubang district, Batanghari regency, Jambi province, Sumatra, Indonesia. This is one of the first studies that uses field-measured data of evapotranspiration (ET) from oil palm plantations in different growth stages over seven years for the purpose of WF assessment, compared to the available literature where ET was estimated using modelling approaches. The multi-year measurements were conducted using the eddy covariance technique, which continuously measures water vapor (H<sub>2</sub>O) fluxes at the ecosystem level over the plantation. Based on these measurements, specifically, the WF assessment is performed on a product basis during the plantation life cycle, per area and time unit, for the oil palm fruit yield and oil palm derived products (palm oil, palm-oil biodiesel). Besides the crop water consumption at the plantation (i.e. ET) as the core element, other water consumptions in the products’ processing chain are included in the WF assessment. Preliminary results indicate a WF of 2440 m<sup>3</sup> t<sup>-1</sup> for palm oil and 65 m<sup>3</sup> GJ<sup>-1</sup> for palm-oil biodiesel. This is about 50% lower than the global average estimates. Local WF account of oil palm products has a critical contribution to product transparency while being useful for comparative purposes. Contrasting the WFs of products serving the same function (e.g., palm oil biodiesel, soybean biodiesel) is of essential importance, aiming at conscious product choices in a world of freshwater scarcity.</p><p>Keywords: water footprint, oil palm, palm oil, Indonesia, eddy covariance, evapotranspiration</p>

scholarly journals Time and motion studies of National Health Service cataract theatre lists to determine strategies to improve efficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (9) ◽  
pp. 1259-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry W Roberts ◽  
James Myerscough ◽  
Simone Borsci ◽  
Melody Ni ◽  
David P S O’Brart
Keyword(s):  
National Health Service ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
National Health ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Time And Motion Studies ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Motion Studies

AimTo provide a quantitative assessment of cataract theatre lists focusing on productivity and staffing levels/tasks using time and motion studies.MethodsNational Health Service (NHS) cataract theatre lists were prospectively observed in five different institutions (four NHS hospitals and one private hospital). Individual tasks and their timings of every member of staff were recorded. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate possible associations between individual timings and tasks.Results140 operations were studied over 18 theatre sessions. The median number of scheduled cataract operations was 7 (range: 5–14). The average duration of an operation was 10.3 min±(SD 4.11 min). The average time to complete one case including patient turnaround was 19.97 min (SD 8.77 min). The proportion of the surgeons’ time occupied on total duties or operating ranged from 65.2% to 76.1% and from 42.4% to 56.7%, respectively. The correlations of the surgical time to patient time in theatre was R2=0.95. A multiple linear regression model found a significant association (F(3,111)=32.86, P<0.001) with R2=0.47 between the duration of one operation and the number of allied healthcare professionals (AHPs), the number of AHP key tasks and the time taken to perform these key tasks by the AHPs.ConclusionsSignificant variability in the number of cases performed and the efficiency of patient flow were found between different institutions. Time and motion studies identified requirements for high-volume models and factors relating to performance. Supporting the surgeon with sufficient AHPs and tasks performed by AHPs could improve surgical efficiency up to approximately double productivity over conventional theatre models.

Design and Development of an Integrated Small-Scale Oil Palm Fruit Processing Mill

2011 ◽  
Vol 367 ◽  
pp. 739-743
Author(s):  
C.O. Ilechie ◽  
A.O. Akii Ibhadode ◽  
B.O. Abikoye
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Oil ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Oil Crops ◽  
Fruit Processing

The oil palm (elaeis guneensis) is a very important economic crop in West Africa where it is native. The fruit bunch contains 23 to 30% oil and is the highest yielding of all vegetable oil crops. Palm oil is the second most important vegetable oil in world consumption and the first to be commercialized internationally. Africa and indeed Nigerian was the world’s highest producer of palm oil prior to 1961. Today, Nigeria is the fourth largest producer after Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. One of the main reasons given for this fall is lack of efficient mechanized processing equipment for the small-scale producers who produce over 80% of the country’s palm oil. Their methods of production are labour intensive, batch, tedious, inefficient, and produce poor quality oil, have low throughput, unable to extract palm kernel alongside palm oil and so productivity is low and products (palm oil and palm kernel) lack competitiveness. This work has developed a mechanized oil palm fruit processing mill with six fully integrated systems for extracting good quality palm oil and palm kernel, while utilizing process wastes as the main source of heat energy. Each system/unit is expected to operate at the best quoted system efficiency. Tests are ongoing to determine and confirm these efficiencies.

scholarly journals Kontribusi Produksi Cellular Lightweight Concrete Serat Limbah Pelepah Kelapa Ssawit Terhadap Emisi CO2

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Zainuri Zainuri ◽  
Sujianto Sujianto ◽  
Adrianto Ahmad ◽  
Feliatra Feliatra
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Lightweight Concrete ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Reduction Of Co2 ◽  
Palm Fronds ◽  
By Products

The vast palm oil plantations in Riau province which are 2,430,500 hectares (BPS Indonesia, 2017) have great potential as a provider of CPO (Crude Palm Oil) and other by-products and include waste. The midrib is always lowered along with the decrease in oil palm fruit bunches at harvest. Handling of waste from the midrib is only by stacking it in the field and letting it dry and self-destruct. Oil palm midribs are still a problem today because they can affect the global climate with greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon emissions can still be minimized by utilizing oil palm midribs. This study aims to measure the reduction of CO2 emissions as an added ingredient in the production of fiber CLC. Presentation of research results using descriptive methods. Research conducted in laboratories with an experimental approach is quantitative. The findings of this study are that the use of oil palm fronds as an added ingredient in producing CLC of solar and electric fuel fibers by 1 m3 can reduce CO2 emissions. The conclusion of this study is that CO2 emissions that can be reduced in the manufacture of 1 m3 of fiber CLC using diesel fuel is 111,582 tons/year and when using an electrically driven engine the CO2 emissions that can be reduced are 120.887 tons/year.

scholarly journals Rancang Bangun Sistem Pakar Mendiagnosa Penyakit Tanaman Kelapa Sawit Menggunakan Metode Bayes Berbasis Android (Studi Kasus : Perkebunan PTPN 4 Air Batu)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Muhammad Dedi Irawan ◽  
Muhammad Khairi Ikhsan Nasution
Keyword(s):  
Expert System ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Good Method ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Cellular Phones ◽  
Conditional Probabilities ◽  
Bayes Method ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Fruit Oil

Abstract - PT. Perkebunan Nusantara IV Air Batu (PTPN IV) is a government-owned oil palm plantation that is engaged in the production of palm fruit, oil palm plants will grow well and produce optimally if the plant is protected from disease. However, there is an imbalance where every year palm oil needs increase, while oil palm production decreases. This is due to lack of understanding of plantation assistants on the types of diseases found in oil palm plants which can cause continuous damage to oil palm plants. The Bayes method is one method that is suitable for selection, because the Bayes method is a good method in machine learning based on training data using conditional probabilities as the basis. With this expert system it is expected that plantation assistants can find out the type of disease and its solution quickly so that the problem of decreasing oil palm production can be overcome. The results of the research in the form of an expert system diagnose the disease of oil palm plants using the Android-based bayes method thus, this application can be used to analyze diseases using cellular phones. Keywords - Palm Oil Disease, Expert Systems, Bayes Method, Android.

scholarly journals Preparing Households for the Oil Palm Replanting Program: Is an Empowerment Program Needed?

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-195
Author(s):  
Ardi Novra ◽  
Fatati ◽  
Adriani
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Regional Economy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
The Impact

This article describes a new idea of how the level of intervention in household empowerment policies is based on an empirical study of the magnitude of the negative impact of the smallholder palm oil replanting (SPR) program. One of the negative impacts is the temporary loss of income (TLI) for farmer households due to the cessation of production of oil palm fruit bunches. This study aims to analyze the magnitude of the impact of the SPR program on household and regional economies as a basis for making decisions on the intensity level of community empowerment programs. The household survey research was conducted in three village centers for smallholder rubber plantations in Jambi Province, Indonesia: Purwodadi Village, Dataran Kempas, and Sungai Keruh. The research result shows that the average potential TLI in each household is IDR 2,364,644/month (equivalent to 74.55% of the oil palm household income or 39.78% of the regional economy) if replanting palm oil is carried out. Purwodadi Village is the village most vulnerable to regional economic disturbances due to the high potential for TLI, reaching 99.43% of the oil palm household income and 67.06% of the regional economy. The level of TLI is influenced by factors of age and area of old oil palm plants, the proportion of households that will undergo the replanting process of oil palm, and the level of dependence of regions on oil palm farming. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that there is still a need for innovation and expansion of empowerment programs to encourage household readiness in facing the community oil palm rejuvenation program.

scholarly journals The Mechanical Properties of Oil Palm by Using Semi-Damp Dryer

2021 ◽  
Vol 302 ◽  
pp. 01013
Author(s):  
Sakultala Wannapakhe ◽  
Khridsadakhon Booddachan
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Mechanical Characteristics ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Compression Force ◽  
Hot Air Drying ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Air Drying ◽  
Hot Air

Hot air drying of palm fruit is a simple method but results in low grade palm oil. The steaming of palm fruit results in high grade palm oil but it requires a wastewater treatment process. Both methods have both advantages and disadvantages, therefore if they were combined, it can result in the better grades of oil, which should be encouraged for farmers in Thailand to apply. This research aimed to determine mechanical characteristics of semi-damp dryer for oil palm. The results of a compression and relative humidity tests were used as the criteria for the tests. The oil palm semi-damp dryer was used in this research. The oil palm semi-damp dryer used the aerosolized technique with 100 °C hot water as a sprayer and a humidifier for the oil palm in the dryer. The purpose was to reduced palm fruit hardness. The study use tenera palm from Prachinburi province and neighborhood of Thailand. The drying time for testing was 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours. The temperature for testing was 70, 90 and more than 100 °C. The results of the compression force of oil palm by using a semi-damp dryer were lower than using a hot air drying. The compression was lower than using hot air drying. The best of mechanical characteristics palm was baking with semi-damp dry at 90 °C in 3 hours. Compression force was 0.675 kN and relative humidity value was 57.18%. The palm oil was tested for the %FFA and DOBI and showed that the grade of palm oil by using semi-damp drying was fair but still edible grade.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document