Abstract The area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia reaches 16.83 million hectares, spread across 26 provinces, consisting of smallholder plantations (40.51%), large private plantations (55.92%), and state-owned plantations (3.57%). This vast area requires continuous efforts to maintain and improve productivity through environmentally friendly practices. However, the recent spike in fertilizer prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has affected farmers, as Indonesia relies on Russia to meet its fertilizer demand of 6.53 million tons. In comparison, domestic production only reaches 4.95 million tons annually. Organic fertilizers offer a viable alternative to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, improve soil quality, boost productivity, and enhance farmers’ economic well-being. This study examines the role of organic fertilizers in increasing oil palm productivity and supporting farmers’ economic stability from an ecological perspective. Data was collected through literature reviews, field experiments, and laboratory analysis. The study results indicate that organic fertilizers enhance yield quality, with productivity reaching 24.91 tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hectare per year, improve plant resilience, and provide long-term economic benefits for farmers. Organic fertilization practices positively impact the environment and indirectly increase farmers’ household income. The findings suggest that organic fertilizers support a more sustainable agricultural system and improve farmers’ economic stability. These results can guide policymakers to promote the broader adoption of organic fertilizers, helping farmers transition to more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
Wulandari et al. (Mon,) studied this question.