Ward-Jackson’s satirical account gives a profound insight into the inner workings of running a plantation; and the tremendous mental, physical and emotional demands that a planter shoulders in ensuring that the plantation under his care yields. The 21st century planter is an embodiment of his 1920s counterpart; but more.

THE PLANTER

The Dynamics of the Planter

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In the 1920 November edition of The Planter, Charles Ward-Jackson FISP commissioned an illustration to accompany his article, “Rubber Planting”. Titled “The New Admirable Crichton”, the iconic sketch represents Ward-Jackson’s thoughts of who and what a planter is.

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He explained that a rubber planter needs to be a walking encyclopedia. He must have detailed knowledge of all the branches of estate work. A rubber planter, among others is a person who is able to dabble in botany by being a bit of a chemist and an agriculturist.

Surveying, is an all in a day’s work routine; alongside tasks associated with being somewhat an architect and an engineer. The job of brick-laying must come as a breeze to a planter, so must his adeptness with book-keeping; and on occasions he may be required to assume the role of a physician.

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Ward-Jackson’s satirical account gives a profound insight into the inner workings of running a plantation; and the tremendous mental, physical and emotional demands that a planter shoulders in ensuring that the plantation under his care yields.

The 21st century planter is an embodiment of his 1920s counterpart; but more.

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The planter of today must know what he can and cannot control. He can ascertain the level of his skills, knowledge and education; and these, he must fervently pursue. He cannot control the environment in which he exist, so for this, he must be adroit in working with the greater community to achieve a common good.

Yet, the greatest common denominator that binds a planter of yesterday with the planter of today and that of tomorrow; will be his willingness to walk the fields and work the plantations. 

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The demands of a global population will be phenomenal to say the least. In the next 50 years, the global population will require 50 percent more food; and this can only come from the intensification of agriculture.

In the wake of this, the values of integrity, passion, commitment and innovation, of which the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) has tirelessly and unrelentingly championed since its inception in 1919, will continue to be a beacon to the planter community in Malaysia through the next century.

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Article commissioned by

CayD Communications.

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