Initial success for China's overseas aided oil palm introduction and trial planting

Recently, good news came from the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu to the Rubber Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences: China's first overseas aided oil palm introduction and trial planting project has achieved initial success. The oil palm trees are growing well with uniform stands, and have a high fruiting rate, large fruit bunches, and plump fruit, with no impact from pests, diseases, or wind damage. Judging from the growth performance of oil palms planted at different times, oil palm trees can flower and bear fruit within 2 years after planting, with great yield potential. For oil palms planted from 2008 to 2010, the annual yield per mu exceeds 4500 jin. Calculated at a 20% oil extraction rate, the crude palm oil yield per mu is above 900 jin, far exceeding the world average yield level of 498 jin.

It is understood that since 2005, the Rubber Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences has participated in the initial construction of the Vanuatu oil palm planting project, undertaking tasks such as oil palm introduction and seedling cultivation. At present, the Rubber Research Institute has signed memorandums of scientific and technological cooperation with Vanuatu Palm Oil Co., Ltd. and the Vanuatu National Department of Agriculture.