OMP GIS: using GPS and Remote Sensing

GPS, which stands for Global Positioning system, shows you your exact position on the Earth anytime, in any weather, anywhere. GPS satellites, 24 in all, transmit signals that can be detected by a GPS receiver. Using the receiver, you can determine your location with great precision.

Using GPS with OMP-GIS

Surveying and mapping

GPS provides high quality data on positions of block boundaries (and the calculation of accurate block size data), LSU palms, soil sample points, buildings, roads, drains, environmental data collection points, buffer zones, etc.
Companies use GPS to prepare palm point maps in new development areas during planting. This process creates the basic reference maps that can be used for future palm point management.
Data collection during the planting phase is easy and relatively cheap.

In-field Data Collection

GPS data dictionaries are set up with pre-defined data categories to allow quick and easy georeferenced data collection.
The data are then transferred into OMP.
LSU palms are used as reference points to collect data on nutrient deficiency symptoms, pest and disease incidents, or to collect management data on pruning standards, harvesting access, erosion and ground cover.
GPS based data collection is also used at environmental data collection points, and to document the location of IPM activities.

Data dictionary for collecting data on nutrient deficiency symptoms at LSU palm point locations. The data dictionary is set up on a personal computer (left) and then transferred to the GPS system (right). A system for surveying nutrient deficiency symptoms is described by Fairhurst et al (2005).

Remote Sensing

images from space and the air are major source of geographical data
remote sensing can be used to define basic block area maps, environmental buffer zones, housing areas, road networks, drains and waterways
image analysis systems can contain sophisticated analytical functions, for instance to conduct palm counts or to define land use patterns.
interpreted data from a remote sensing system can be merged with other data layers from OMP

FAIRHURST, T. H.; CALIMAN, J. P.; HÄRDTER, R. and WITT, C. 2005 Oil palm: Nutrient disorders and nutrient management. 67 p. Singapore: Potash & Phosphate nstitute/Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPI/PPIC), International Potash
Institute (IPI), French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and Pacific Rim Palm Oil Ltd (PRPOL).

Agrisoft-Systems

OMP
Oilpalm Management Program