Conceptual Framework of the Green Economy for Oil Palm

Wisakha Phoochinda

doi:10.5539/jsd.v11n2p25

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate operation of oil palm industry based on Green Economy concept. The conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry was established in accordance with Thailand’s context. Information was compiled via literature review on definition, meaning, concept, and theory of the Green Economy, and the oil palm industry, as well as interviews with 15 specialists, experts, scholars, farmers, and officials of relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.The information from the interviews was analyzed by grouping issues and content analysis, and description to obtain the conceptual framework. Then, the framework was assessed by specialists, experts, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives with expertise in oil palm, and farmers for implementation.The study findings revealed that the application of the conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry consisted of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), economic development such as development of organic farming, management of yields and waste, social development such as better quality of life for farmers, higher negotiating power for farmers, equality; and environmental development such as balanced eco system, reduced impact on the environment, and use of environmental-friendly technology.

Highlights

For many years, nations around the world have experienced food shortage crisis, creating worries for the global food situation
The study findings revealed that the application of the conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry consisted of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), economic development such as development of organic farming, management of yields and waste, social development such as better quality of life for farmers, higher negotiating power for farmers, equality; and environmental development such as balanced eco system, reduced impact on the environment, and use of environmental-friendly technology
The analysis was conducted to establish the conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry in line with the Green Economy concept within Thailand’s context, by compiling information on the oil palm industry to develop the conceptual framework of the Green Economy in the oil palm industry

Summary

Introduction

Nations around the world have experienced food shortage crisis, creating worries for the global food situation. The agricultural process of Thailand’s economic crops lacks systematic development management and clear and concrete direction. It constitutes one reason why Thailand faces the problems of the plunging economic crop prices, the lack of farming efficiency, and farmers’ hardship. Thailand has applied the Green Economy concept to the food crop and energy crop industries, especially the oil palm industry, considered an important economic crop to the country’s development in terms of alternative energy source. The AEDP 2015 (2012 -2036) set the target to promote the production of 14 million liters of biodiesel a day by 2036 (Thailand Ministry of Energy, 2015) It results in the expansion of the oil palm industry in the future. The objectives of this study included: Study the operation of the oil palm industry and Conduct analysis and establish the Green Economy concept of the oil palm industry in line with the Green Economy concept within Thailand’s context

Methodology

Study Findings

Conceptual Framework of the Green Economy for the Oil Palm Industry

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