Overcoming the Challenges of Certification for Independent Smallholders in the Palm Oil Industry

Overcoming the Challenges of Certification for Independent Smallholders in the Palm Oil Industry PDF Author: Coralie Sandrine Elsa Vergez
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Book Description
Independent smallholders' certification in the palm oil industry has been recognized as a significant challenge both in the academic literature and in the interviews conducted with experts prior to writing this thesis. According to both sources, a massive certification of independent smallholders seems very unlikely in the medium-run. At the same time, smallholders are a critical component of the palm oil value chain, both in terms of production and land use. This thesis focuses on the challenges palm oil independent smallholders in South East Asia are faced with when it comes to certification. The paper is structured around four chapters. Chapter I opens the paper with an analysis of the current context in the palm oil industry and of the rising concerns related to sustainability. The main bottlenecks preventing smallholders to become certified are then developed in Chapter II. In Chapter III, certification of smallholders is presented through the lens of the collective action problem framework. Two case studies then illustrate the fact that certification can be achieved. Based on these case studies, as well as on interviews with experts and on academic papers, we formulate the necessary conditions to create a favorable environment for independent smallholders to achieve certification before suggesting ways to implement them (Chapter IV).

Overcoming the Challenges of Certification for Independent Smallholders in the Palm Oil Industry

Overcoming the Challenges of Certification for Independent Smallholders in the Palm Oil Industry PDF Author: Coralie Sandrine Elsa Vergez
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Book Description
Independent smallholders' certification in the palm oil industry has been recognized as a significant challenge both in the academic literature and in the interviews conducted with experts prior to writing this thesis. According to both sources, a massive certification of independent smallholders seems very unlikely in the medium-run. At the same time, smallholders are a critical component of the palm oil value chain, both in terms of production and land use. This thesis focuses on the challenges palm oil independent smallholders in South East Asia are faced with when it comes to certification. The paper is structured around four chapters. Chapter I opens the paper with an analysis of the current context in the palm oil industry and of the rising concerns related to sustainability. The main bottlenecks preventing smallholders to become certified are then developed in Chapter II. In Chapter III, certification of smallholders is presented through the lens of the collective action problem framework. Two case studies then illustrate the fact that certification can be achieved. Based on these case studies, as well as on interviews with experts and on academic papers, we formulate the necessary conditions to create a favorable environment for independent smallholders to achieve certification before suggesting ways to implement them (Chapter IV).

The Tropical Oil Crop Revolution

The Tropical Oil Crop Revolution PDF Author: Derek Byerlee
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190222980
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
The book provides a broad synthesis of the major supply and demand drivers of the dramatic expansion of oil crops in the tropics; its economic, social, and environmental impacts; and the future outlook to 2050. It is a comprehensive review of the oil crop sector with a major focus on oil palm and soybeans, the two most dynamic crops in world agriculture in recent decades.

In search of sustainable and inclusive palm oil production

In search of sustainable and inclusive palm oil production PDF Author: Idsert Jelsma
Publisher: Eburon Uitgeverij B.V.
ISBN: 9463012575
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
In search of sustainable and inclusive palm oil production builds on the old debate regarding the role of smallholder farmers in society and links it to the integration of smallholders into modern global value chains. Since the peak in global agro-commodity prices in 2007/08, interest in agriculture has increased again among policymakers and in the private sector. Modern global value chains provide opportunities for smallholder farmers but also increasingly dictate conditions in terms of production practices, and thereby determine conditions for inclusion. The Indonesian oil palm sector provides an interesting case regarding smallholder inclusion in modern global value chains and the role they play in sustainable agro-commodity production. Palm oil production in Indonesia has thrived due to insertion in global value chains, experienced massive smallholder engagement, faces considerable sustainability challenges and illustrates the impacts sustainability initiatives can have on smallholders. It thus provides a promising case to further explore the nexus of sustainable and inclusive development, smallholder agriculture and policy. The primary aim of this book is to advance the understanding of how the oil palm sector can be made more sustainable and inclusive. It does so by exploring independent and organized oil palm smallholders in Sumatra, explaining their emergence and performance, and discussing strategies to improve their performance. Whereas the smallholder oil palm sector clearly has its unique characteristics, this book unpicks some stereotypical views on smallholders and highlights the dynamics impacting farmers’ organizations over time, and thereby contributes to debates on the future of farming.

Social impacts of oil palm in Indonesia

Social impacts of oil palm in Indonesia PDF Author: Tania Murray Li
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN: 6021504798
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 61

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Book Description
Oil palm plantations and smallholdings are expanding massively in Indonesia. Proponents highlight the potential for job creation and poverty alleviation, but scholars are more cautious, noting that social impacts of oil palm are not well understood. This report draws upon primary research in West Kalimantan to explore the gendered dynamics of oil palm among smallholders and plantation workers. It concludes that the social and economic benefits of oil palm are real, but restricted to particular social groups. Among smallholders in the research area, couples who were able to sustain diverse farming systems and add oil palm to their repertoire benefited more than transmigrants, who had to survive on limited incomes from a 2-ha plot.

Palms of controversies

Palms of controversies PDF Author: Alain Rival
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN: 6021504410
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description
The rapid development of oil palm cultivation feeds many social issues such as biodiversity, deforestation, food habits or ethical investments. How can this palm be viewed as a ‘miracle plant’ by both the agro-food industry in the North and farmers in the tropical zone, but a serious ecological threat by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) campaigning for the environment or rights of local indigenous peoples? In the present book the authors – a biologist and an agricultural economist- describe a global and complex tropical sector, for which the interests of the many different stakeholders are often antagonistic. Oil palm has become emblematic of recent changes in North-South relationship in agricultural development. Indeed, palm oil is produced and consumed in the South; its trade is driven by emerging countries, although the major part of its transformations is made in the North that still hosts the largest multinational agro industries. It is also in the North that the sector is challenged on ethical and environmental issues. Public controversy over palm oil is often opinionated and it is fed by definitive and sometimes exaggerated statements. Researchers are conveying a more nuanced speech, which is supported by scientific data and a shared field experience. Their work helps in building a more balanced view, moving attention to the South, the region of exclusive production and major consumption of palm oil.

Sustainability Certification in the Indonesian Palm Oil Sector

Sustainability Certification in the Indonesian Palm Oil Sector PDF Author: Clara Brandi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783889855817
Category : Farmers
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description


Towards Better Practice in Smallholder Palm Oil Production

Towards Better Practice in Smallholder Palm Oil Production PDF Author: S. Vermeulen
Publisher: IIED
ISBN: 1843696339
Category : Economic development
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description


Sustainable Palm Oil Production project synthesis

Sustainable Palm Oil Production project synthesis PDF Author: Bessou, C.
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
Key messages Several sustainability certification schemes have been developed for palm oil; however, the field impacts of these schemes remain highly uncertain. The Sustainable Palm Oil Production (SPOP) project, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), was aimed at consolidating and deepening the scientific basis of these schemes.SPOP field work undertaken in Indonesia and Cameroon highlighted the large variability in practices and impacts of oil palm systems. Our main results related to the uncovering of the multiplicity of growers and their trajectories, and identifying room for improvement and the need for recommendations adapted to the various grower contexts and strategies.The SPOP project made it explicit that visions of sustainability and global challenges vary greatly among growers and other stakeholders involved in the palm oil sector. These diverging conceptions are most likely to induce bottlenecks in the definition and implementation of good practices and should be accounted for in the refinement of sustainability criteria.Within the SPOP project, we investigated possible futures for oil palm using participatory prospective analyses and multi-agent-based modeling work. Our research work showed that capacity development and the organizational capacity of smallholders, fair partnerships and combined forms of governance are key drivers in ensuring the uptake of good practices and sustainable development at the landscape scale.

Current practices and innovations in smallholder palm oil finance in Indonesia and Malaysia

Current practices and innovations in smallholder palm oil finance in Indonesia and Malaysia PDF Author: Bronkhorst, E.
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4

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Book Description
Key messages Providing long-term financing to oil palm smallholders for urgently needed replanting purposes has the potential to promote more sustainable supply chains in palm oil production. This is required as demand for palm oil is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades.High costs and risk in agricultural lending deter banks from providing finance to oil palm smallholders which, however, is urgently needed mainly for replanting. Depriving smallholders from access to finance leads to continued deforestation (often 'slash and burn') instead of replanting as well as usage of low-quality crop and other unsustainable agricultural practices.By providing access to long-term finance, oil palm smallholders are encouraged to replant rather than exploit additional agricultural land through deforestation. There is also an urgent need to support farmers with income generation alternatives to bridge the 3-5 years of production gap after replanting. Recognizing the key role of smallholders in meeting the large and growing global demand for palm oil, various innovative financing schemes initiated by the private sector, commercial banks, impact investors, development finance institutions and governments have emerged.This brief evaluates past and current policies and financing schemes as well as their outcomes for smallholders in terms of income security, sustainable practices and the environment in the palm oil industry in Indonesia and Malaysia. It also analyzes financing schemes that could contribute to sustainable smallholder oil palm development in such a way that the supply base of smallholders can be secured or can expand with improved sustainability practices compared to past and existing schemes.

The palm oil global value chain

The palm oil global value chain PDF Author: Pacheco, P.
Publisher: CIFOR
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 55

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Book Description
There is abundant literature focusing on the palm oil sector, which has grown into a vigorous sector with production originating mainly from Malaysia and Indonesia, and on increased palm oil consumption in many countries around the globe, particularly European Union states, China and India. This sector expansion has become quite controversial, because while it has negative social and environmental impacts, it also leads to positive benefits in generating fiscal earnings for producing countries and regular income streams for a large number of large- and small-scale growers involved in palm oil production. This document reviews how the social, ecological, and environmental dynamics and associated implications of the global palm oil sector have grown in complexity over time, and examines the policy and institutional factors affecting the sector's development at the global and national levels. This work examines the geographies of production, consumption and trade of palm oil and its derivatives, and describes the structure of the global palm oil value chain, with special emphasis on Malaysia and Indonesia. In addition, this work reviews the main socioenvironmental impacts and trade-offs associated with the palm oil sector's expansion, with a primary focus on Indonesia. The main interest is on the social impacts this has on local populations, smallholders and workers, as well as the environmental impacts on deforestation and their associated effects on carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. Finally, the growing complexity of the global oil palm value chain has also driven diverse types of developments in the complex oil palm policy regime governing the sector's expansion. This work assesses the main features of this emerging policy regime involving public and private actors, with emphasis on Indonesia. There are multiple efforts supporting the transition to a more sustainable palm oil production; yet the lack of a coordinated public policy, effective incentives and consistent enforcement is clear and obvious. The emergence of numerous privately driven initiatives with greater involvement of civil society organizations brings new opportunities for enhancing the sector's governance; yet the uptake of voluntary standards remains slow, and any push for the adoption of more stringent standards may only widen the gap between large corporations and medium- and smallscale growers. Greater harmonization between voluntary and mandatory standards, as well as among private initiatives is required. Commitments to deforestation-free supply chains have the potential to reduce undesired environmental impacts from oil palm expansion, and while this risks excluding smallholders from the supply chains, such commitments may function to leverage the upgrading of smallholder production systems. Their success, however, will require greater public and private sector collaboration.