Expansion Of Oil Palm Plantations Research Articles

The Impact of Palm Oil Plantations on Per Capita Income in Kalimantan and Its Effect on Unemployment

Currently, Indonesia's oil palm plantation sector is in a critical phase. While the sector has contributed significantly to national income and created jobs, it is increasingly urged to address a number of social and environmental issues. This study aims to explain the complex relationship between oil palm plantation expansion, per capita income, and unemployment dynamics in the region. Using quantitative methodology and multiple linear regression analysis, this study examines secondary data sourced from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and the Ministry of Agriculture covering the period 2001-2022. The findings show that the expansion of oil palm plantations significantly increases per capita income through direct and indirect job creation. However, its impact on unemployment is not uniform and depends on the prevailing economic structure and adaptability of the local labor market. While some regions experienced a decline in unemployment due to increased job availability, other regions experienced an increase in structural unemployment caused by the adoption of modern technology that reduced the need for manual labor. These findings underscore the need for regional policies tailored to the local economic context, labor market, and local employment conditions

Soil Physical Properties of Oil Palm Plantations in Tidal Areas of Peatland

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) is a plant with a higher vegetable oil content than other oil-producing plants, so palm oil is widely used as the main raw material for processed vegetable oil. The increasingly limited land area and the larger land area in Indonesia so that the space for plantation companies to expand the land is increasingly limited, so that the expansion of oil palm plantations began to change from optimal land to suboptimal land. Soil physical properties are properties related to the shape or original condition of the soil. This study aims to determine the physical properties of soil (texture, porosity, moisture content, soil color, particle density, and bulk density) on peatlands in the tidal area of PT Sinar Gunung Sawit Raya. This research used survey method with descriptive analysis. The soil samples taken were peat soil in the tidal area with purposive random sampling method at a depth of 30 cm. This research was conducted in November 2023 and continued in the laboratory for testing each soil physical properties. The results of the research on soil physical properties at PT Sinar Gunung Sawit Raya on peatlands in tidal areas show that the soil texture is loamy sand, soil porosity is good, moisture content is relatively normal, soil color looks relatively dark, particle density is still low and bulk density value shows low. Keywords: Loamy sand, Oil palm, Peat soil, Soil color, Soil texture.

The role of society in the expansion of oil palm plantation and the changes in land cover at Kuantan Singingi, Riau

The role of society in the expansion of oil palm plantation and the changes in land cover at Kuantan Singingi, Riau

Guardians of the Green: Exploring the Forest Management Wisdom of Dayak Benawan Women in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

This research delves into the ramifications of oil palm expansion on the forest stewardship methods of the Dayak Benawan community in Cowet Village, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It particularly sheds light on the adaptive strategies of indigenous women in response to diminishing forestlands. By intersecting traditional wisdom with evolving environmental realities and economic challenges, this study offers a comprehensive perspective. Employing ethnographic methodology, the research involved conducting interviews with Dayak Benawan women, providing rich, qualitative insights.Our findings unveil a profound shift in both livelihoods and cultural practices as a direct consequence of oil palm plantation encroachment. Notably, the study quantifies the impact, revealing an 18% loss of forest area in the Sanggau Regency attributable to oil palm plantation expansion. This expansion exerts a discernible negative influence, compelling the Dayak Benawan community to undergo significant livelihood transformations. This study not only highlights the environmental and socio-cultural costs of agricultural industrialization but also stresses the resilience and adaptability of indigenous communities in the face of ecological disruption.

Indonesian palm oil towards sustainability: a system dynamic approach

Abstract The role of Indonesian palm oil in economic development and environmental degradation is a highly debated topic. Palm oil is essential to national development in Indonesia by providing a livelihood for millions of smallholder growers, plantations, and industries labor; it also contributes to national revenue from domestic and global trade. However, the growth of the palm oil industry also brings negative environmental impacts. The expansion of oil palm plantations is considered as one of major drivers for deforestation, peatland draining, and fire, leading to biodiversity decline, habitat loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we develop a system dynamic modelcalled SIPOS (Simulation of Indonesian Palm Oil Sustainability) to understand the current dynamic of the palm oil value chain to the economy and environment. We simulate the future condition of the palm oil sector with sustainability interventions such as intensification, implementation of No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE), and trade. The model simulation result will include various indicators such as plantation extent, palm oil production, deforestation from the palm oil sector, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and revenue from the palm oil trade. This study aims to show the use of a system dynamic model for sustainability scenario development, simulate multiple scenarios, measure the impact on the economy and environment, and then compare the benefits and disadvantages of each scenario.

Oil Palm Plantation Expansion and Population Problems: An Explanatory Factor for Deforestation in Indonesia

Deforestation in Indonesia remains a significant issue due to various factors. This article reveals the impact of demographic variables on deforestation, using oil palm plantation expansion as a case study. The study applies Hunter's model, considering population dynamics and intermediate variables, namely science and technology, institutions, policies, and culture. Through traditional literature review methods, demographic data and field research results from 2010 to 2020 were elaborated, focusing on Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. The findings underline that Indonesian rapid population growth drives high consumption rates. Additionally, the development of oil palm plantations is faced with high demand for CPO, policies that attach too much importance to investment, and agrarian deregulation. All these intermediate variables are visible through the agricultural expansion as a pattern of agricultural development. The massive expansion by private companies resulted in a change in the socio-ecological landscape. In addition, there are dilemmas in the villager's livelihood system, such as shifting traditional livelihood bases, livelihood dualism, the emergence of new vulnerabilities, and land grabs. In order to realize sustainable palm oil development, we suggest governance reforms at the global, national, and local levels.

Rainforest transformation reduces parasitoid wasp diversity—Can the enrichment of flowering vegetation alleviate this?

Abstract In Indonesia, the rapid expansion of oil palm and rubber plantations replaces large areas of tropical rainforest. Rainforest transformation alters the diversity and composition of parasitoid wasp communities, but appropriate management strategies to buffer their decline in rainforest transformation landscapes are not yet developed. Here, we studied the effects of rainforest conversion to smallholder rubber and oil palm plantations on parasitoid wasp species richness, abundance and species composition. We also conducted a flowering vegetation enrichment experiment using the flowering weed Asystasia gangetica in all land‐uses to investigate potential mitigation effects on parasitoid wasp diversity and composition. Rainforest transformation to rubber plantations caused a large decrease in species richness (46%) and abundance (59%) of parasitoid wasps. Community structure of parasitoid wasps differed between forest and monoculture habitats with more habitat‐specialised species in forest and a higher proportion of common species in the monoculture. The experimental flowering vegetation enrichment increased parasitoid wasp species richness by 18% and abundance by 127%. Enrichment also enhanced the presence of unique parasitoid species in plantation and furthermore increased differences in community composition between rainforest and plantations. However, the enrichment experiment was confounded by time, meaning that a multi‐year experiment with targeted controls is necessary for statistically more reliable statements. Our study shows the effect of rainforest transformation to oil palm and rubber plantations on parasitoid wasp communities. Although providing additional flowering vegetation in plantations seems to potentially mitigate diversity loss, further research is needed to confirm and to investigate the mechanisms how flowering plants alleviate negative effects of rainforest transformation on parasitoid communities. Thereby, efficient conservation strategies for parasitoids wasps and their biological control services can be developed for rapidly changing tropical landscapes.

Community’s perception of buren site conservation in Upper Barito, Kalimantan, Indonesia

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and analyse the community’s perceptions of buren sites and how they maintain their value. Buren is a term used by locals to refer to the location of former iron ore smelting in the past. Archaeological findings at smelting sites are slags, ore fragments, tuyeres and smelting furnaces. These sites urgently need to be conserved because the expansion of oil palm plantations and coal mines is ongoing. Buren sites are on community and customary land, so site conservation and development must consider community perception.Design/methodology/approachThe primary data were gathered through interviews, group discussions and observation. A literature review of previous research results obtained secondary data. Interviews and group discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim as qualitative coding. Thematic content analysis was performed using the concepts of the community’s perception and heritage values.FindingsThe community initially did not care about the buren. Today, they believe the buren as ancestral heritage has historical and educational value. The community hopes the buren can be preserved and developed to reinforce identity and pride as Dayak people and may improve community welfare.Research limitations/implicationsPreserving and developing buren sites necessitate serious planning involving multiple stakeholders, as well as incorporating buren sites into development plans and regional socioeconomic growth. Future research should focus on strategies for preserving and developing buren sites.Practical implicationsResearch results are used to teach students about the history and technology of metal making, instilling a sense of patriotism, strength and pride in Dayak’s identity.Social implicationsThe research has an impact on attitudes and behaviour of the locals. Previously, locals did not care about the buren tend to be afraid to enter it because they believed that buren was a guarded spirit. Now, the community has become concerned, participating in preserving the buren site as providing temporary roofs and making signboards and roads to the site. The community with support from regional officials expects to conserve and utilise the buren site as a tourist destination, combining river tours and forest tourism to create economic opportunities for local tour guides, parking services and boat providers.Originality/valueThe authenticity of this research is the sites are archaeologically valuable and are threatened by the expansion of oil palm plantations and coal mining. This is also the first study of an iron industrial site in Indonesia that addresses this problem and uses this method.

Plantation Technologies

In this article we investigate plantation agriculture as a technology aimed at extracting natural resources, utilising unpaid labour, and installing regulatory authority. Using the oil palm plantation territories of Johor State in Malaysia – a core zone of palm oil production, manufacturing and export – as a case study, we ask how more-than-human assemblages enabled the expansion and refinement of oil palm plantations in Malaysia and contributed to the material transformation of the territory. We also explore how plantations can be mobilised as an analytical device to study the urbanisation of territory through agro-industrial production. To explore those questions, we present three episodes of more-than-human involvement in assembling oil palm plantation territories in Johor. Through the conceptual frame of the operationalisation of territory, we bring into dialogue literature on the Plantationocene with critical urban studies and the history of urbanisation.

Changes in the Root Architecture of Oil Palm Seedlings in Response to Nitrogen Starvation

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a widely cultivated crop known for its high oil yield. It is cultivated extensively across tropical regions, notably in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It plays a vital role in global vegetable oil supply, meeting approximately 35% of the world’s demand. However, the expansion of oil palm plantations often involves the utilization of degraded soils where nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen, is limited, posing challenges to plant growth and productivity. Roots are crucial in responding to nitrogen deficiency by adjusting their growth and distribution; however, research on root system distribution patterns in oil palm still needs to be completed. This study analyzes the root system architecture using RhizoVision Explorer, a 2D root image processing software while assessing its relationship with nitrogen availability across two commercial cultivars: Deli × La Mé of African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and the interspecific hybrid O×G Coari × La Mé. Our findings reveal significant associations between eight root traits in oil palm seedlings and treatments with and without nitrogen availability. Notably, total root morphology (length, surface area, and volume), rotation angle, solidity, and hole characteristics decreased under nitrogen deprivation, whereas surface angle frequency increased. We highlight the variability of these traits across cultivars, suggesting genetic dependence and potential utility in breeding programs. Moreover, interactions observed in primary root morphology and hole size indicate greater differences between control and nitrogen-treated groups in C × LM than in D × LM cultivars. On the other hand, cultivar differences, regardless of nitrogen availability, influenced lateral root morphology, while nitrogen availability, irrespective of cultivar, affected inclined angle frequency. Significant differences were observed in growth and development parameters such as root and shoot biomass, root-to-shoot ratio, and leaf emission numbers between nitrogen-optimal and nitrogen-starved conditions. Nitrogen significantly affects root architecture and plant growth in oil palm, particularly in the C × LM cultivar during the nursery stage.

Perampasan Tanah dan Perlawanan Petani: Dampak Perkebunan Sawit terhadap Kehidupan Masyarakat di Pasaman Barat Tahun 1980-2022

This research examines "Land Grabbing and Farmer Resistance: The Impact of Oil Palm Plantations on People’s Life in West Pasaman during 1980-2022". Forests belonging to indigenous peoples encountered land grabbing and conversion into oil palm plantations. Land grabbing is a common phenomenon in West Pasaman. The purpose of this research are to find out the pattern of land ownership in West Pasaman from 1980-2022, strategy of land grabbing, the resistance of oil palm farmers, Fourthly, and the impact of the widespread land grabbing activities on oil palm plantations in West Pasaman. This research used a multidimensional approach. For this reason, social science theories such as economics, anthropology and sociology were used to explain the subject matter. This method strategy is important to be able to analyze the research topic more comprehensively. The method used was historical method including heuristics, criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The result of research shows that the expansion of oil palm plantations is putatively more than 70% of land in West Pasaman controlled by large companies, while the rest of 30% is for the people in West Pasaman. Large plantations did land acquisition successfully in various ways such as buying land, cooperation with traditional leaders, and land grabbing. The land grabbing results in various effects: people losing their land, displaced communities, poverty, no place to stand and farmer resistance. In conclusion, the expansion of oil palm plantations has generated various conflicts within community. The main sources of conflict are land grabbing and socio-economic inequality in the community. This then led to the farmer’s resistance against the rulers and entrepreneurs of oil palm plantations.

Ekonomi Politik dan Lingkungan Hidup

The aim of writing this article is to look at Political Economy and the Environment. The environment is everything that exists around humans and is in a reciprocal relationship. The living environment is a system that is a spatial unity between living things and other abiotic components. The interaction between the natural environment and its surroundings forms an ecological system (ecosystem). The environment plays a role as a habitat for living creatures on earth. Environmental components consist of two types, namely: Biotic components, living creatures which include animals, plants and humans. Abiotic components are non-living objects, including water, soil, rocks, air and sunlight. The data collection technique for this research is a library research library study sourced from various reading literature and previous research articles on Political Economy and the Environment. . The expansion of oil palm plantations in forest areas also has an impact on changes in the ecological landscape and changes in land use, changes in land cover as well as several serious environmental problems such as depletion of soil nutrients and increased carbon emissions due to deforestation and emissions inherent in the processing of oil palm fruit.

Ekspansi Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit Politik Ekologi

The aim of writing this article is to look at the Expansion of Palm Oil Plantations, Ecological Politics. As a consequence of the large-scale expansion of oil palm plantations, the community is also caught up in the euphoria of oil palm plantation expansion. This research found a form of silent expansion carried out by independent farmers/plantations. Silent expansion is a strategy to expand oil palm plantations which is carried out secretly, illegally (behind the state's backstage), small-fragmented areas, and carried out by farmers/plantations who have relationships with actors such as the middle man and the big man. The data collection technique for this research is a library research library study sourced from various reading literature and previous research articles regarding political ecology. The expansion of oil palm plantations in forest areas also has an impact on changes in the ecological landscape and changes in land use, changes in land cover as well as several serious environmental problems such as depletion of soil nutrients and increased carbon emissions due to deforestation and emissions inherent in the processing of oil palm fruit.

Tergerusnya kearifan lokal orang Mapur di tengah ekspansi Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit PT. GPL di Dusun Air Abik, Kabupaten Bangka

This research was conducted with the aim of explaining the erosion of local wisdom among the Mapur people in the utilization of forests amidst the expansion of oil palm plantations by PT. GPL in the Air Abik Hamlet, Bangka Regency. The research used a qualitative descriptive approach. The data collection process was carried out through interviews, observations, documentation, and various secondary data sources, including official documents, mass media reports, scientific articles, books, papers, and previous research reports discussing the Mapur community. The results of this research indicate that since the era of regional autonomy, the local wisdom possessed by the Mapur people has been disrupted due to the presence of oil palm plantation companies, predominantly PT. GPL, expanding land, especially in the Mapur people's customary forests. This expansion, whether realized or not, has taken over most of the customary forest land that has been guarded and preserved for their livelihoods. In addition, the knowledge held by this community about environmental conservation, including the use of natural medicines, codes of conduct, traditional rituals (beume), nujuh jerami, as well as local wisdom about forest utilization, is also gradually eroded along with their existence. The loss of these traditions and local wisdom also means the loss of the identity of the Mapur people, who are the oldest Malay tribe on Bangka Island, living in harmony and wisdom with nature.

Application of Spatial Model the Contribution of Land Subsidence Caused by Palm Oil Plantations Land Clearing to the Escalating Flood Risk in the Trumon Area, South Aceh Regency, Indonesia

The Trumon watershed one of critical watershed in Aceh Province had an increase in historical flood episodes during the past 25 years. This is consistent with the expansion of oil palm plantations within the 53,653 Ha watershed basin dominated by peatlands. According to earlier research, changes in land use in peatland regions may cause subsidence. This research looks at the connection between flood events and the subsidence of ground caused by oil palm plantation land clearing. The satellite imagery interpretation reveals a remarkable land use change of previously 5091.25 Ha peatland forest observed in 1995, to become a 13,753.43 Ha palm oil plantation in 2021. From DEMs analysis, those changes are associated with a subsiding land elevation up to 1.23 m. Despite being less than 20% of the watershed area, the land subsidence effect striking change in the watershed boundary, i.e., from only 53,653 Ha to 786,675 Ha which led to an increase in flood inundation from 3,443.04 Ha to 47,924.92 Ha. and flood depth from 0.5 – 1.0 m, to up to 4.0 m. This current situation has made the Trumon area subjected to frequent floods, i.e., from a five-year return period to become an annual event.

Population trend of Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) in Muar, Johor using eBird data

The Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a globally vulnerable stork species that is sporadically distributed in south and southeast Asia. In Malaysia, even though the population shows a gradual decline, the species population status in 2004-2006 is considered stable. However, the recent population status of the species is yet to be documented and is in question. Hence, we used data from the citizen science project, eBird to assess the population trend of Lesser Adjutants over 20 years in two selected sites in Muar, Johor. The population of Lesser Adjutants in Pantai Leka reduced over time while the population in Sungai Balang paddy field was likewise. The paddy field might become an alternate choice for the species due to developments and disturbances along the Pantai Leka shore. Most of the coastal mangrove forests in Muar have been degraded caused by the expansion of coconut and oil palm plantations; these remaining two valuable habitats need to be conserved. We discussed the population trends of Lesser Adjutant in two study sites and recommendations to conserve the species and its habitats.

Perawatan yang Beracun: Kerja Perawatan Perkebunan dan Reproduksi Sosial dalam Perkebunan Monokultur Sawit

The expansion of oil palm plantation has drawn scholarship attention. On one hand, studies have examined how oil palm plantation development serves an important instrument for employment creation, poverty alleviation and rural development. On the other, there is plenty of research that shows adverse impacts of such expansion on socio-ecological conditions. This includes the recruitment of women plantation workers into maintenance work with flexible labour relations. Meanwhile, literature on oil palm plantations in Indonesia has not paid significant attention on care work. Employing feminist political economy perspective, this article attempts to understand care work in monoculture oil palm plantations, particularly in relations to maintenance work on plantation. Through the concept of social reproduction, care work is understood in a broader terms as a way to draw the entanglement between production and reproduction in monoculture oil palm plantations. This article argues that women workers participation into maintenance work on plantations show the articulation of social relations based on patriarchal system with palm oil competition in the global market. From the perspective of the women workers, participation in the maintenance work is viewed as a livelihood strategy. The strategy that involves works with risk of regular exposure to toxic chemicals is understood as toxic care.

THE ROLE OF FEMALE WORKERS IN OIL PALM PLANTATIONS (A CASE STUDY IN UJONG KRUENG VILLAGE, TRIPA MAKMUR SUB-DISTRICT, NAGAN RAYA REGENCY)

Oil palm is one of the plantation commodities that needs to increase its production as it is a major producer of vegetable oil. The expansion of oil palm plantations has been taking place in various regions, including Aceh, particularly in Ujong Krueng Village, Tripa Makmur sub-district, Nagan Raya regency. The purpose of this research is to explore the history of female labor in oil palm plantations and understand the lives of female workers in Ujong Krueng Village. The research methods employed include observation and interviews. The results indicate that female laborers are workers in oil palm plantations who earn wages from the landowners. The emergence of women as laborers in Ujong Krueng's oil palm plantations is due to the increasing number of plantations and their rapid growth, requiring a large labor force. This provides opportunities for women who want to contribute to their family's economy. The lives of female laborers in Ujong Krueng include: firstly, women have a dual role, working both in their homes and in public spacec; secondly, some women, especially those who are widowed or whose husband is are dealing with severe illness, take on the responsibility of being breadwinners; thirdly, the economic of the community is positively impacted by income generated from oil palm plantations, meeting the basic living needs; fourthly, women are now undertaking tasks that were traditionally performed by men, such as transporting harvested produce.

Analysis of Vegetation and Plant Diversity in High Conservation Value Areas in Oil Palm Plantations

The expansion of oil palm plantations is often rumored to impact the destruction of forests and other ecosystems with high conservation value (HCV). This study aimed to analyze the vegetation and plant diversity in the HCV area of oil palm plantations. The research was conducted on an oil palm plantation in Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia with an HCV area of 5379 ha. The research was carried out using the grid transect method on various types of vegetation, divided into four plots: seedlings, saplings, poles and trees. Parameters observed included the number of species, the number of individuals and the level of plant diversity. The results showed that the research location had good vegetation and plant diversity in the HCV area. There were 25 plant species from 17 families with a total of 355 plants. The number of species found in the seedling plots was 11 species (6 families) with a total of 38 plants; in the sapling plots was 16 species (12 families) with a total of 159 plants; in the pole plots was 14 species (11 families) with a total of 43 plants, and in the tree plots was 13 species (10 families) 115 plants. There was variation in the number of species and families in each plot. The overall plant diversity index was low. The diversity index of plants in the plots of seedlings, saplings, poles and trees (and the average) was in the low category.

Mapping oil palm expansion within the protected lowland rainforest of Nigeria using Google Earth engine

Increasing demand for Elaeis guineensis (African Oil Palm) products both for domestic and industrial use has led to its continuous expansion. The influence of oil palm plantation establishment on the economic well-being of communities and ecosystems cannot be over-emphasised. The study focuses on the rapid expansion of oil palm plantations within all protected areas and forest reserves in the lowland rainforests of Ondo State, Nigeria using. Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) was used to map oil palm expansion using 10-metre resolution Sentinel-2A images for 2015 and 2020 in Google Earth Engine (GEE). We found expansion of both smallholder and commercial oil palm plantations within eight of the thirteen protected areas with three protected areas (Ipele, Onisere and Akure Ofosu) showing a significant increase in oil palm plantation establishment. The use of object-based classification techniques, which combines contextual information within the image domain to discriminate landscape features such as oil palm canopy features, was effective in delineating oil palm from the forest canopy and other crops. While Google Earth Engine, a server-based remote sensing domain with petabytes of data, is effective for monitoring large-scale tropical forests.