Beyond Conventional Fertilization: Assessing the Agronomic, Technical, Economic and Environmental Feasibility of Fertigation in Indonesian Oil Palm Plantations

Abstract

Fertigation combines irrigation and nutrient delivery, but the feasibility of adopting it in Indonesia’s heterogeneous oil palm sector cannot be inferred from cross-crop performance claims. This qualitative literature review synthesises peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and October 2026 to assess agronomic, technical, financial, environmental and institutional conditions for adoption. It distinguishes direct oil palm findings from transferable fertigation and irrigation engineering evidence and introduces a counterfactual framework separating better conventional fertilisation, irrigation alone and integrated fertigation. Studies demonstrate major nutrient deficiencies in Indonesian smallholder plantations and show that moisture stress influences yield; nevertheless, the available literature does not establish a reliable Indonesia-wide incremental fertigation yield response or investment return. Potentially favourable settings comprise existing mineral-soil blocks with recurrent, economically significant dry-season water limitations, secure water access, treatable water quality, measurable nutrient-delivery constraints and competent maintenance. Important risks include emitter clogging, water abstraction, underestimated lifecycle operating expenses, weak comparative evidence and unsuitable implementation on sensitive peatlands. A gated feasibility procedure and replicated multi-treatment pilot protocol are proposed, supported by lifecycle net-present-value and environmental indicators. The review concludes that investment should follow documented site-specific additionality rather than generalised assumptions that precision input delivery is superior. Initial priority in many settings remains balanced nutrition, soil conservation and reliable agronomic management.