An Overview of the Role of Smallholders in Oil Palm Production Systems in Changing Climate

Abstract

Oil palm production contributes tremendously to the economies of tropical countries, a location where cultivation takes place. The cultivation of oil palm is usually dominated by smallholders and produces about 40% of global palm oil demand. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the role of smallholder oil palm growers in ensuring palm oil production in a changing climate. This study was based on a conventional literature review. Relevant articles were retrieved using search terms such as “climate change” or “oil palm” or “climate change and oil palm” OR “oil palm smallholders” OR “oil palm growers”. The documents were selected by (i) examining the title of the document, (ii) the abstract (iii) and the content of the document sequentially. Only documents that meet the inclusion criteria were selected for the review. The results of this study demonstrated that global climatic changes have a greater negative effect on oil palm production in the tropics. Rising temperatures result in water stress to the palms, as does variability in rainfall, which reduces productivity, declining floral abortion, increase in pests and diseases infestation, and yield loss. Oil palm smallholder growers contribute immensely to global food security. Smallholders are estimated to manage approximately 40% of the global oil palm planted area, producing 40% of the global palm oil demand. In Africa, smallholders produced more than 60% of palm oil demand, 33% in Papua New Guinea, and 40% in Malaysia. In Latin America, where 87% of oil palm growers are smallholders, they produce over 60% of the demand for palm oil. Oil palm production creates jobs and poverty alleviation, provides the most efficient oil, provides vitamins for body-building, and provides nutritious and healthy food. This study recommends long-term and short-term policies on climate change and oil palm, improved regional academic leadership, with a focus on collaboration with scientists in consumer countries, improved institutional research, and collaboration in research between producer and major consumer countries.