The contribution of PT BPK large oil palm plantations to communities in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Palm oil is one of the commodities that play an essential role in improving Indonesia’s economy. The palm oil industry has absorbed 4.20 million direct workers and 12 million indirect workers, contributing to Indonesia’s trade balance through palm oil exports, reaching 13.5% of the average non-oil and gas exports and 3.5% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). In West Kalimantan, PT BPK is a large-scale palm oil plantation that contributes to increasing community income. This study aims to identify community perceptions of PT BPK’s palm oil plantations and the contribution of PT BPK’s palm oil plantations to increasing community income. Respondents in the study were divided into two categories, namely communities that depend on palm oil and communities that do not depend on palm oil. Based on the interview results, it was found that male respondents in communities that depend on palm oil were more numerous than females, namely in the original category of male respondents at 83.33% and immigrants at 78.57%. Responses regarding the ecological impacts of PT BPK were dominated by positive opinions except for statements related to the development of oil palm plantations on peatlands, air quality, and wildlife habitats. The presence of PT BPK was felt to have increased the community’s motivation to grow oil palm plantations, the income of which could be used as provisions for the community to send their children to school, and community accessibility had improved significantly. PT BPK was also considered not to cause conflict in the community and had succeeded in improving social relations between residents. Oil palm plantations also contributed to household income, where the contribution value of oil palm plantations to indigenous communities was 95% and to independent transmigrant communities was 100%. The community’s income from oil palm plantations was considered sufficient for household needs, but some people had additional income other than oil palm as additional income.