HARVESTING

The main part used is the root. In the forest, harvesting is done by pulling out the whole plant manually or by using harvesting implements developed. The optimum harvesting age is not known. However, ‘tongkat ali’ plants at 2-3 years of age is found to start flowering and bearing fruit. At this age, the plant starts to mature. It is expected that cultivated ‘tongkat ali’ can be harvested as early as at this age. The expected potential yield for fresh roots per plant from an open field without shade is 0.8–1.2 kg. This estimated yield is for plants harvested 4 years after planting.

POSTHARVEST HANDLING

After harvesting, the roots are washed before drying. The roots can be sun-dried for a few days. They can also be dried in an oven at 40-50ºC for 72 hours. The roots are marketed in its natural form or finely sliced. Preferably the roots are first dried before they are sliced for easy processing.

ESTIMATED COST OF PRODUCTION

The estimated production cost per hectare of ‘tongkat ali’ monocrop for 4 years is RM36,000. This cost includes land preparation, seeds, planting, maintenance, harvesting and drying of product. With an estimated dried root yield of 3,000 kg/ha, the production cost is RM12.04/kg.