By Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy UCSI University

The palm oil business can no longer ignore the call to embrace sustainability. As the threats of climate change grow, businesses worldwide are investing in climate mitigation measures. Tree crops like the palm oil are viewed as a natural sequester of carbon, especially carbon dioxide which plants absorb for photosynthesis. However, within the crop ecosystem, the potential for carbon emissions also exists. Rotting vegetation and crop residues within the oil palm plantation also undergo microbial degradation, emitting GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) including methane which is 21 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. 

Carbon farming, which involves minimising the release of such GHGs, promises to be agriculture’s way to be truly green. This has attracted the attention of the palm oil business as it struggles to achieve sustainability. The threat of climate change is truly impacting palm oil farmers. They must not only deal with productivity issues while coping with other agronomic challenges but must also adopt sustainable practices. There are valid reasons for the close scrutiny on agriculture. This is because growing crops and raising livestock account for nearly 50% of the planet’s habitable land. Emissions produced by the sector are also significant, accounting for about 25% of total GHG emissions.

No wonder there is an increased interest in carbon farming among palm oil growers. However, farmers must be sufficiently motivated to make it work. The carbon credit market, which operates on the pollution offset principle, is one platform to consider. Farmers who engage in sustainable practices can earn tradable carbon credits. But the pricing of carbon is uncertain and must be sufficiently attractive for palm oil farmers to migrate permanently to such practices. Farmers must also show evidence to be able to claim carbon credits. The measurement of the sequestered carbon must be shown as proof. This is where a reliable technique, agreed by all parties, is necessary.

Satellite imagery is increasingly used as a measurement technique to provide that evidence. The data obtained is deciphered using AI to calculate the biomass and carbon sequestration value of palms. It is also less labour and time-intensive than field sampling. With its daily imaging of the Earth, Planet’s satellite data can supply more data points to increase the effectiveness of modelling. Planet has participated in such projects in Europe to develop and commercially launch a platform that facilitates large-scale zero emission aspirations, through empowering regenerative agriculture as well as measuring and monitoring resulting soil carbon sequestration.  

There is no reason why the palm oil business here cannot generate data for their sustainability project monitoring. The data can then be used to train machine-learning models on crop health, application of fertilizers, use of pesticides, water, and tillage which will monitor the impact of regenerative agriculture management practices on carbon storage. Satellite imagery can be transformational as  the palm oil sector strives to show their commitment to sustainability.

Satellite imagery can be game-changing when creating carbon neutral agricultural models. Download our latest Agriculture eBook: From Imagery to Data Shifting Approaches in Digital Agriculture or visit us at planet.com/ag to learn more about innovative applications of satellite imagery in agriculture.