The characteristics of independent smallholder oil palm plantations with an agroforestry system in Bengkulu Province

The expansion of oil palm cultivation in Indonesia over the past three decades has yielded significant economic benefits at the national level and has also contributed to the socio-economic development of local communities. In order to develop strategies for the future development of smallholder oil palm cultivation, it is crucial to gain insight into the characteristics of independent smallholder oil palm farmers in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of farmers, land, and management systems associated with independent smallholder oil palm with agroforestry cultivation compare to monoculture system. The research was conducted in two districts: Central Bengkulu Regency and Seluma Regency. A total of 100 oil palm farmer respondents were selected from each district. This included 50 with agroforestry systems and 50 with monoculture systems. The findings indicate that the majority of smallholder oil palm farmers operate on a small-scale, with land holdings ranging from 1 to 2 hectares. The characteristics of farmers with agroforestry systems and those with monoculture systems are identical. However, the characteristics of the land and the management system exhibit significant differences. The majority of farmers with agroforestry systems acquired their land through inheritance from their parents and the subsequent clearing of forests. In contrast, farmers with monoculture systems purchased their land from other parties. In the initial stages of oil palm cultivation, the land is typically sourced from a variety of existing agricultural ecosystems, including rubber plantations, mixed plantations, rice fields, forests, and shrublands.