ASSESSING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC, SOCIO-CULTURAL, AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF THE PALM OIL INDUSTRY ON COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN PAPUA: A PERSPECTIVE FROM SOUTH PAPUA PROVINCE, INDONESIA
DAVID OSCAR SIMATUPANG, ALEXANDER PHUK TJILEN

Musamus University, Merauke

Abstract

This research aims to assess the impacts of palm oil from the perspective of socio-economic, socio-cultural, and ecological aspects on communities in South Papua Province, using a qualitative approach. Data collection methods include literature review, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), and observations to describe research findings from interviews with key informants. Qualitative analysis of questionnaire data collected from 100 respondents, including community members and farmers, was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. The research locations were selected based on the presence of palm oil industry and the affected population, namely in Muting District, Eligobel District, and Bupul District. The industrial development was perceived to have a significant impact with a score of 4.37, followed by the production behavior impact with a score of 3.62. The socio-cultural conditions of the surrounding communities, particularly in terms of employment opportunities, showed a high impact with scores of 4.25 and 4 respectively. From the ecological perspective, the impact of palm oil development was perceived to be relatively low with impact scores of 2.7 and 2.3.

Keywords: Palm Oil Industry, Community Perspective, Socio-Economic-Cultural, Ecology

Topic: Agricultural Socio-economics