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Agroforestry as Policy Option for Forest-Zone Oil Palm Production in Indonesia

Author

Listed:
  • Edi Purwanto

    (Tropenbos Indonesia, Bogor 16163, Indonesia)

  • Hery Santoso

    (Java Learning Centre (JAVLEC), Klidon, Yogyakarta 55581, Indonesia)

  • Idsert Jelsma

    (Tropenbos Indonesia, Bogor 16163, Indonesia)

  • Atiek Widayati

    (Tropenbos Indonesia, Bogor 16163, Indonesia)

  • Hunggul Y. S. H. Nugroho

    (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Makassar 90243, Indonesia)

  • Meine van Noordwijk

    (World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Bogor 16155, Indonesia
    Plant Production Systems, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

With 15–20% of Indonesian oil palms located, without a legal basis and permits, within the forest zone (‘Kawasan hutan’), international concerns regarding deforestation affect the totality of Indonesian palm oil export. ‘Forest zone oil palm’ (FZ-OP) is a substantive issue that requires analysis and policy change. While spatial details of FZ-OP remain contested, we review literature on (1) the legal basis of the forest zone and its conversion, (2) social stratification in oil palm production (large-scale, plasma and independent growers), and (3) environmental consequences of forest conversion to FZ-OP, before discussing policy options in a range of social and ecological contexts. Policy options range from full regularization (as FZ-OP stands could meet international forest definitions), to conditional acceptance of diversified smallholder plantings in ‘agroforestry concessions’, to gradually phasing out FZ-OP and eviction/destruction. A nuanced and differentiated approach to FZ-OP is needed, as certification of legality along supply chains is vulnerable to illegal levies and corruption. Corporate actors trading internationally can avoid use of uncertified raw materials, effectively shifting blame and depressing farmgate prices for domestic-market palm oil, but this will not return forest conditions or stop further forest conversion. We discuss an agenda for follow-up policy research.

Suggested Citation

  • Edi Purwanto & Hery Santoso & Idsert Jelsma & Atiek Widayati & Hunggul Y. S. H. Nugroho & Meine van Noordwijk, 2020. "Agroforestry as Policy Option for Forest-Zone Oil Palm Production in Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-34, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:12:p:531-:d:464792
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    1. Ogahara, Zoë & Jespersen, Kristjan & Theilade, Ida & Nielsen, Martin Reinhard, 2022. "Review of smallholder palm oil sustainability reveals limited positive impacts and identifies key implementation and knowledge gaps," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    2. Beatrice Nöldeke & Etti Winter & Yves Laumonier & Trifosa Simamora, 2021. "Simulating Agroforestry Adoption in Rural Indonesia: The Potential of Trees on Farms for Livelihoods and Environment," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-31, April.
    3. Rudolf, Katrin & Hennings, Nina & Dippold, Michaela A. & Edison, Edi & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Improving economic and environmental outcomes in oil palm smallholdings: The relationship between mulching, soil properties and yields," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. Meine van Noordwijk, 2021. "Agroforestry-Based Ecosystem Services," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-8, July.
    5. Rowland, Dominic & Zanello, Giacomo & Waliyo, Edy & Ickowitz, Amy, 2022. "Oil palm and gendered time use: A mixed-methods case study from West Kalimantan, Indonesia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Zhao, Jing & Elmore, Andrew J. & Lee, Janice Ser Huay & Numata, Izaya & Zhang, Xin & Cochrane, Mark A., 2023. "Replanting and yield increase strategies for alleviating the potential decline in palm oil production in Indonesia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. Meine van Noordwijk, 2021. "Agroforestry-Based Ecosystem Services: Reconciling Values of Humans and Nature in Sustainable Development," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-24, July.
    8. Mettauer, Romane & Baron, Victor & Turinah, & Demitria, Puspita & Smit, Hans & Alamsyah, Zulkifli & Penot, Eric & Bessou, Cécile & Chambon, Bénédicte & Ollivier, Jean & Thoumazeau, Alexis, 2021. "Investigating the links between management practices and economic performances of smallholders' oil palm plots. A case study in Jambi province, Indonesia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).

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