peatlands by RSPO members from 2006 onwards following the introduction and
enforcement of the P&C 2008, P&C 2013 and P&C 2018, respectively. It is to be
highlighted the analysis considers all new oil palm cultivation regardless of previous
land use and date of the respective member joining the RSPO. From 2015–2018, a
total of 537 ha of peatlands were cultivated with oil palm, all of which were
conversion within existing certified areas. It is expected that no peatlands, regardless
of previous land use or depth will be developed for oil palm cultivation by RSPO
members from 2019 onwards with the prohibition of new planting introduced in
Criteria 7.7 of the P&C 2018.
18.5 RSPO Best Management Practices
The RSPO has produced two Best Management Practice (BMP) Manuals for
peatlands with one focusing on cultivation of oil palm on peatland (Parish et al.
2019a) and the other on the management and rehabilitation of peatlands (Parish et al.
2019b). The manuals were initially prepared in 2010–2012 in response to the
decision by the RSPO General Assembly (GA) in November 2009 to provide
guidance to improve yields in existing oil palm cultivation on peat and to address
issues related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, subsidence and other impacts that
affect the potential sustainability of the oil palm cultivation on peatlands. The
manuals were prepared through a consultative process facilitated by the RSPO
Peatland Working Group (PLWG). The manuals were both updated between 2017
and 2019 to incorporate new information, methods and practices under the guidance
of the Second RSPO PLWG (PLWG-2). The objective of the manuals is to provide a
set of practical guidance on BMPs that are important for enhancing the management
of existing oil palm cultivation on tropical peat while at the same time reducing
environmental impacts especially GHG emissions and subsidence. Critical BMPs
include water management, nutrient, pest and disease management and fire
prevention.
18.5.1 Water Management
Effective water management is the key to high oil palm productivity on peat.
Keeping the peat moist throughout the year is important for healthy palm growth
and high yield. Too little or too much water in the palm rooting zone will adversely
affect nutrient uptake and consequently fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Most
palms’ feeder roots are concentrated in the top 0–50 cm of the peat; therefore, water
level needs to be near this zone but it should not be waterlogged. Water management
is site specific and needs to consider wider implications on surrounding areas as well
as to avoid undrainable situations, especially in areas where the mineral subsoil is
below the Mean Water Level (MWL) of adjacent water bodies (river or sea).
516
F. Parish et al.
enforcement of the P&C 2008, P&C 2013 and P&C 2018, respectively. It is to be
highlighted the analysis considers all new oil palm cultivation regardless of previous
land use and date of the respective member joining the RSPO. From 2015–2018, a
total of 537 ha of peatlands were cultivated with oil palm, all of which were
conversion within existing certified areas. It is expected that no peatlands, regardless
of previous land use or depth will be developed for oil palm cultivation by RSPO
members from 2019 onwards with the prohibition of new planting introduced in
Criteria 7.7 of the P&C 2018.
18.5 RSPO Best Management Practices
The RSPO has produced two Best Management Practice (BMP) Manuals for
peatlands with one focusing on cultivation of oil palm on peatland (Parish et al.
2019a) and the other on the management and rehabilitation of peatlands (Parish et al.
2019b). The manuals were initially prepared in 2010–2012 in response to the
decision by the RSPO General Assembly (GA) in November 2009 to provide
guidance to improve yields in existing oil palm cultivation on peat and to address
issues related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, subsidence and other impacts that
affect the potential sustainability of the oil palm cultivation on peatlands. The
manuals were prepared through a consultative process facilitated by the RSPO
Peatland Working Group (PLWG). The manuals were both updated between 2017
and 2019 to incorporate new information, methods and practices under the guidance
of the Second RSPO PLWG (PLWG-2). The objective of the manuals is to provide a
set of practical guidance on BMPs that are important for enhancing the management
of existing oil palm cultivation on tropical peat while at the same time reducing
environmental impacts especially GHG emissions and subsidence. Critical BMPs
include water management, nutrient, pest and disease management and fire
prevention.
18.5.1 Water Management
Effective water management is the key to high oil palm productivity on peat.
Keeping the peat moist throughout the year is important for healthy palm growth
and high yield. Too little or too much water in the palm rooting zone will adversely
affect nutrient uptake and consequently fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Most
palms’ feeder roots are concentrated in the top 0–50 cm of the peat; therefore, water
level needs to be near this zone but it should not be waterlogged. Water management
is site specific and needs to consider wider implications on surrounding areas as well
as to avoid undrainable situations, especially in areas where the mineral subsoil is
below the Mean Water Level (MWL) of adjacent water bodies (river or sea).
516
F. Parish et al.