Obvious significance to Malaysia of the rapid expansion of planted areas is the potential labour requirement: In 1980, 82 776 plantation workers produced 2.576 x 106 tonnes/crude oil, in 1981 85 822 workers produced 2.824 x 106 tonnes crude oil. This is equivalent to 31.12 and 32.90 tonnes crude oil per man year respectively. With projected tonnage of 6.0 million ton­nes in 1990 and an assumed productivity of 35 tonnes/man year, the employment potential increases to 171 430 estate sector personnel. However, if the yield per man stagnates the requirement becomes 18 1 820 persons.