IPB University FEM Lecturer and GIGA Germany Discuss Palm Oil Commercialization
The Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM), IPB University held a Joint Mini-Workshop with the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) (14/3) at the FEM Auditorium, Dramaga Campus IPB, Bogor. This activity discussed the impact of the commercialization of oil palm plantations in Indonesia.
This activity was attended by faculty staff and postgraduate students (S2 and S3) in the FEM environment, especially students who were preparing their final project. So that they get ideas and other views that can be used as a reference in research on commercial oil palm plantations.
This workshop is part of a research collaboration entitled "Large-Scale Land Acquisitions, Rural Change and Social Conflict" between FEM IPB University and the Chairperson, Prof Nunung Nuryartono and Apl. Prof Jann Lay from GIGA Germany.
“The commercialization of oil palm plantations affects rural socio-economic and rural livelihoods, particularly land distribution, small-scale farming and employment. These changes in livelihoods translate into changes in socio-economic inequalities within and between social, ethnic and regional groups. In addition, how can local formal and informal institutions reduce or intensify the adverse effects of land use change, "said Prof Nunung.
Apart from research and workshops, he added, this collaboration also provided scholarships to two doctoral students, namely Daniel Geissel and Dian Verawati Panjaitan. This collaboration can have a positive impact on competence development and international networks.
This activity presented four speakers who were researchers and academics from each institution.
The speaker from GIGA Germany is Apl. Prof Jann Lay with the topic of ecological and socio-economic functions of the transformation system of tropical lowland forests, Daniel Geissel with the topic of the impact of large-scale land acquisition on rural change and social conflict, Anette RumI who spoke about the socio-economic and environmental impacts of RSPO certification for small farmers in Indonesia and how to achieve inclusive and sustainable rural development for commercial agriculture.
Meanwhile from IPB University namely Dian Verawati Panjaitan with the topic regarding the impact of the development of commercial oil palm plantations on asset ownership and quality of infrastructure, especially for the case of 90 villages in West Kalimantan. The topic presented in this workshop focused on commercial oil palm plantations which is an important matter to discuss given the importance of this commodity for Indonesia. (*/Zul) (IAAS/SHY)
