The impact of sustainable palm oil management on sustainable landscape

Abstract

With a total area of 16.3 million ha, oil palm plantations in Indonesia are crucial in realizing a sustainable landscape. South Tapanuli District was chosen for this study due to their high conservation value and the possession of a Sustainable Palm Oil Action Plan that is internalized in the Regional Plan document. The analysis was conducted descriptively using secondary data from legal documents and palm oil sustainable certificates, namely ISPO and RSPO, and primary data from 320 smallholders of 6 main commodities and stakeholders from 11 government offices, NGO, and local university. These data were analyzed with Statistical Descriptive Model using indicators of sustainability from economic and other commodity needs. The results show that Sustainable Palm Oil Management has been integrated in the South Tapanuli Landscape Management legal document. Sustainable Palm Oil Management has positive impacts on the economic needs of farmers, namely legal land status, productivity, and income, but does not contribute to the development of other commodities. The implementation of policies and programs is still sectoral with weak coordination between stakeholders. In general, Sustainable Palm Oil Management is potential to support Sustainable Landscape but requires further coordination and integration with the management of other commodities.