Comparison of The Operational Productivity and Quality of Manual and Semi-Mechanised Planting Techniques Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Planting plays a significant role in commercial forestry. In South Africa, this operation is resource-intensive, costly, and labour reliant. Issues related to labour (increased wages, absenteeism, and high turnover), inconsistent work quality, increased operational costs, and poor ergonomics prompted the development of innovative planting techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the productivity (plants/hour) and work quality of a manual (Vastrap) and a semi-mechanised (Wasserplanter) planting system. The experimental conditions comprised of two study sites (Flatcrown and Kwambonambi) consisting of 20 plots per site (10 plots per planting system) alternating across the study site. Block-level and elemental-level time studies were conducted, followed by work quality assessments. The manual method planted 7.23 ha/shift (Flatcrown) and 5.89 ha/shift (Kwambonambi) whilst the semi-mechanised method planted 4.72 ha/shift (Flatcrown) and 3.19 ha/shift (Kwambonambi). The manual system was 50 to 60% more productive (plants/PMH) than the semi-mechanised system. Higher worker efficiency 30 - 40% was observed at the Flatcrown site, which was characterized by level terrain and low slash presence compared to the Kwambonambi site, which had a gentle (< 20%) terrain and medium residue presence. Planting quality was conducted according to planting specifications and not significantly different between the two systems, although the study suggests that the proportion of good quality plantings could be somewhat higher for the manual system.