The Role of Oil Palm Plantations in the Lives of Communities Surrounding PT. BSM, South Sumatra Province

Oil palm plantations play an important role in the welfare of surrounding communities, such as increasing employment, improving facilities and infrastructure, and increase community income and national income through palm oil exports. However, good management in plantations needs to be considered because there are many negative statements that say that oil palm plantations are one of the causes of deforestation. Therefore, it is important to research how the role of plantation companies in the lives of surrounding communities. The purpose of this study is to analyze how far the role of oil palm plantation companies on the economic, social, and environmental needs of communities around the plantation. The research was conducted in August 2019-April 2020 in Surya Adi, Margo Bakti and Pematang Panggang Villages which are villages around PT.BSM, South Sumatra. The method used was by interviewing the village community using snowball sampling technique. Several categories were studied, namely community perceptions of oil palm in general related to biodiversity, as well as perceptions of the environmental, social and economic impacts of the presence of PT BSM. There are 4 categories in the perception assessment, namely agree, neutral, disagree, and don’t know. The results showed that the perception of oil palm showed an average of 73.78% that it was not detrimental to biodiversity. The community also thinks positively about the existence of PT BSM, which does not damage the environment with an average of 71.19%, social (81.56%), and economic (84.17%). Disagreeing ratings for oil palm (4%), environment (7.10%), social (6.24%) and economy (12.19%). The highest positive perception of oil palm is that it does not damage peatlands (100%), and negative perceptions on improving air quality (18.49%). Environmental impact assessment based on community responses showed that PT BSM did not clear peatland (100%), but 26.89% of respondents stated that the use of fire to clear land reduced soil fertility. The community supports the existence of oil palm plantations, and PT.BSM also conducts socialization to the community regarding the dangers of land fires. The results of interviews with the community also show that the presence of PT.BSM increases family income, improves facilities and infrastructure, and improves transportation.