A Sustainable Rodent Control in Oil Palm Plantation 

In recent years, Malaysia has experienced a severe shortage of labour, which has significantly affected the oil palm plantation industry. The shortage has impacted the industry's growth and productivity, leading to a decline in revenue and profitability.

The labour shortage resulted from various factors, such as movement restriction implemented by the government in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted foreign workers leaving Malaysia and preventing new workers from entering the country, difficulty in attracting foreign labor into the oil palm industry, higher minimum wage requirements, and a growing preference among Malaysians for higher-paying jobs in the urban areas.

The shortage has mostly affected the states of Sabah and Sarawak, which are major producers of palm oil. The labour shortage has resulted in decreased production and increased operating costs, as plantation owners struggle to find workers to harvest and process the palm fruits.

A news article by The Edge Markets on March 8, 2021, reported that the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) had predicted that Malaysia might face a loss of RM 25 billion ($6.1 billion) in export earnings in 2021 due to a shortage of foreign labor to collect oil palm fruit. This estimation is worth noting.

The labour shortage in the oil palm plantation industry in Malaysia is not a recent phenomenon. The problem has been ongoing for several years, and its impact has been felt across the entire supply chain, from smallholders to large plantation owners. Despite various efforts by the government and industry players to address the issue, the problem persists, and the industry's future remains uncertain.

How Racumin Wax Block can provide a solution?

Racumin Wax Block is a rodenticide in controlling rat populations in oil palm plantations. Its main active substance is Coumatetralyl, an effective first generation AVK that prevents blood clotting in rats, leading to their eventual death. While Racumin Wax Block was primarily designed to control rat populations, its benefits extend beyond just that.

One of the main advantages of Racumin Wax Block is that it can help mitigate the labour shortage problem in oil palm plantations. As rat infestations can cause significant damage to oil palm trees, they require regular monitoring and control. Traditionally, this has been done manually by labourers. However, with the labour shortage, this has become a significant challenge. By using Racumin Wax Block, plantations can reduce the need for manual monitoring and control, thereby freeing up labourers to focus on other essential tasks.

Additionally, Racumin Wax Block is efficient and a formulation with prolonged water resistance for optimal field performance. Once applied, it can control rat populations for up to 3 - 4 weeks, reducing the need for frequent reapplication. This saves time and resources and ensures that the plantation remains protected against rat infestations.

Furthermore, Racumin Wax Block generally has a lower toxicity to other animals and a low potential of secondary toxicity, including birds and other mammals, justifying Racumin as a suitable rodenticide for sustainable pest management in oil palm plantations.