The amount of OPWs that are used for mulching and nutrient recycling are more than necessary. Large quantities of OPFs, OPLs, OPTs and OPRs which are underutilised can be effectively used in applications such as bio-fertiliser pro­duction, food and feed production as well as biomass power plant to generate

Fig. 5.2 Simultaneous production of FFB and utilisation of OPW for various value-added bio­products incorporating animal husbandry electricity. Figure 5.2 summarises the simultaneous production of FFB and utili­sation of OPF, OPL, OPR and OPT for power generation and feed production around the palm plantation.

The concept of integrating animal husbandry into palm oil plantations is found to be feasible as demonstrated by Jalaludin 1996. Usually, pesticides and weedi — cides from inorganic (chemical) sources are used to control weed growth and insect attacks in the palm oil plantation. These are environmentally unsafe and cost ineffective and can be totally eliminated when livestock production is incor­porated in palm oil plantation whereby forages in the inter-rows grazed off by the livestock. Also, the dung from the animals could be used as organic fertiliser in the plantation hence reducing the cost of FFB production and soil nutrient dete­rioration. Excess dung could be processed in the bio-fertiliser production unit for subsequent sale. Figure 5.3 shows the schematic diagram of the conversion of OPW in the palm oil mill into value-added bio-products.

5.2 Conclusion

OPW can be utilised efficiently into green wealth by simultaneously transforming some of the wastes into energy to be utilised by the various value-added bio-product production units within the palm oil industry. Converting OPW into bio-products could evolve a lot of creative technologies and industries which would further jobs and improve the life of people in the palm oil-producing countries. Industries such as food, phytochemical, furniture, polymer and composite materials, activated car­bon, soap and cosmetics and power plants could be set up as integration into the palm oil plantation and palm oil mill for the benefit of mankind.

Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia (Research University Grant No. 854002 and USM Fellowship) for the financial support given.