InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The integration of cattle and oil palm plantations is increasingly viewed as a viable approach to sustainable plantation management, with strong potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving operational efficiency.

Reported by InfoSAWIT from the ICOP 2026 forum, on Wednesday (April 8, 2026), Maja Slingerland PhD., from Wageningen University & Research highlighted that proper livestock waste management is a key factor in minimizing environmental impacts.

She explained that closed manure storage systems can significantly reduce harmful gas emissions, although they require additional investment. In the Netherlands, livestock waste has been successfully converted into biogas, helping to curb methane emissions—one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

Slingerland also addressed concerns regarding plant diseases such as Ganoderma, often linked to livestock presence in plantations. She emphasized that such claims lack scientific basis, noting that the fungus produces billions of spores daily, making livestock an insignificant factor in its spread.

Operationally, cattle–palm integration offers tangible benefits, including reduced herbicide use, improved labor efficiency, and support for regenerative agriculture practices. However, she cautioned against overestimating its benefits, stressing that livestock cannot fully replace fertilizer needs unless sufficient high-quality organic inputs are available.

She added that no significant negative impact has been observed on oil palm growth or productivity due to livestock presence, reinforcing the feasibility of this integrated approach when properly managed. (T2)