In oil palm, harvesting by climbing is the regular practice method and these climbing harvesters are facing several problems. The Pole Harvesting method was recommended by ICAR-IIOPR to overcome these climbing harvesting problems. A comparative study has been taken up between the climbing harvesting and pole harvesting and the results of this study were presented in this article. Results revealed that majority of the respondent pole harvesters (75%) and climbing harvesters (53%) belong to 25-30 age group. Majority of (66%) pole harvesters are having 1-4 years of harvesting experience, where in majority of climbing harvesters are having 5-8 years of harvesting experience. Majority of the pole harvesters (84%) working 4 or 5 hours per day, whereas the majority of climbing harvesters (47%) are engaged only for 4 hours. Pole harvesters (44%) are harvesting 3 tonnes of bunches per day, 47% of the climbing harvesters could harvest 2 tons per day. Majority of pole (41%) harvesters are engaged for 151-200 or 201-250 days in a year, majority (50%) climbing harvesters are engaged 151-200 days. Pole harvesters (81%) and climbing harvesters (78%) are earning wages Rs.700 per day. Pole harvesters perceived that they had Excellent, very good and good satisfaction of harvesting during rainy, winter and summer season respectively. Climbing harvesters perceived satisfactory, good and excellent satisfaction of harvesting during rainy, winter and summer season respectively. Pole harvesters (69%) and climbing harvesters (78%) had peak harvesting experience during July. Cent present of pole harvesters and climbing harvesters had perceived satisfaction of payment of wages on per day basis. Pole harvesters (97%) and climbing harvesters (62%) had perceived excellent wage payment. The problems associated with pole harvesting and climbing were recorded along with the suggestions received from harvesters.

Keyword: Harvesting; Oil palm; Pole harvesting; Climbing harvesting.