Sustainable Oil Palm Production in Thailand with Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Sustainable Oil Palm Production in Thailand with Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Increasing yield and optimizing water use through precision irrigation technology.

Univanich, a leading oil palm producer in Thailand, has partnered with Netafim for over 30 years to improve plantation performance. After relying on traditional open-ditch irrigation for decades, the company sought a more efficient and modern solution. By adopting Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI), Univanich has significantly improved productivity, water efficiency, and long-term sustainability in its oil palm operations.

Project Scope

 

Agronomic Design and planning

Hydraulic system design based on oil palm requirements

Installation supervision and project execution

Training for farm team to operate system independently

Integration of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system into plantation management

Netafim implemented a Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) system designed specifically for mature oil palm trees. The system delivers 400 liters of water per tree per day using precision driplines with a flow rate of 100 liters per hour, operated for four hours daily. In addition to system design and installation, Netafim provided full support including engineering supervision and staff training to ensure efficient system operation.

Results Achieved