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| Palm oil and rice: The shift in Dayak fields. Photo credit: Masri Sareb. |
SANGGAU - The Dayak Research Center (DRC) -In the fields of the Dayak people today, a striking contrast is becoming more and more apparent between rice, which is fading, and palm oil, which is thriving rapidly.
Rice used to be the heart of their agricultural life—a staple crop that supported their food needs and way of life. Rice, with all its accompanying rituals and traditions, symbolized resilience and local wisdom.
The Dayak fields, once full of rice crops stretching across the land, reflected a harmonious relationship between people and nature.
However, today, a different sight is emerging. Amidst the fields once dominated by rice, palm oil trees are now flourishing, taking over the space once reserved for rice.
Over the next 3 to 4 years, it is projected that palm oil will completely replace rice as the main commodity in the Dayak fields. Once seen as a supplementary crop, palm oil is now carefully nurtured and cultivated as a promising economic asset.
Economic Evolution of Dayak Fields: From Rice to Palm Oil
Fields that were once teeming with rice, requiring considerable care and time to yield optimal results, are now shifting towards palm oil, which is more profitable and easier to maintain. With a calculation that seems quite compelling—4 kg of fresh palm fruit equals 1 kg of rice—palm oil has become a commodity offering much greater financial returns compared to rice. From an economic standpoint, palm oil promises faster and more lucrative results, replacing rice as the primary source of income.
This shift is not just about crop choice; it reflects a profound change in the way the Dayak people think about farming and their way of life. Rice, once the backbone of their agricultural economy, is increasingly sidelined in favor of more commercially viable crops. This is not just about food production; it's also about a shift toward farming practices that prioritize short-term financial gain. Palm oil, with its easier cultivation, quicker yields, and higher profit potential, has become the go-to crop for many Dayak families.
Tradition vs Modernity: Palm Oil vs Rice
The Dayak fields have always been sustainable, with farming practices that do not harm the environment. In fact, after being cultivated, the land often sees the growth of various plants and trees that were not present before. Even the small-scale palm oil plantations—ranging from 3 to 10 hectares—do not damage the environment. It's the large-scale corporate palm oil plantations that cause significant environmental harm. These large plantations not only degrade the land but also fail to provide meaningful benefits to the surrounding communities.
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Once, these fields were a haven for diverse food crops, but today, vast palm oil plantations are spreading across the land, promising a more prosperous economic future. However, this shift brings with it concerns. The Dayak people, known for their deep understanding of the land and their harmonious relationship with nature, now face the difficult choice of maintaining their ancient farming traditions or adopting a more lucrative crop that would fundamentally change their way of life.
The land, once nurtured by the Dayak people's sustainable practices nd a well-maintained seasonal cycle, is now facing real threats from large-scale palm oil plantations and extensive mining operations that devastate the environment. While palm oil has become the dominant crop, rice—once a symbol of the Dayak people's resilience and sustainable farming—is gradually being sidelined. This shift reflects not just changes in farming practices, but also the pressures the Dayak people face in maintaining their harmonious relationship with the land amid the rise of industries that prioritize profit over the environment.
The true challenge lies in the aggressive expansion of large-scale palm oil plantations and destructive mining activities. These industries exploit the land without regard for the environmental degradation they cause, leaving little benefit for the local communities.
While many Dayak families have adapted to cultivating palm oil as a source of income, the reality is that their small-scale farms have a minimal ecological footprint compared to the large corporations.
These industries, in contrast, cause irreversible damage to the land, water, and biodiversity. The Dayak people are caught in a difficult position, striving to preserve their traditions while grappling with the external pressures of a rapidly changing global economy driven by unsustainable practices.
The Dayak people are now faced with a profound dilemma
Converting land into large-scale palm oil plantations leads to widespread deforestation, threatening the environment and the sustainability of local communities. This issue goes beyond economics—it’s deeply tied to identity and cultural heritage that the Dayak people have nurtured for centuries. While the Dayak people may embrace palm oil on a small scale, with 3 to 10 hectares on their land, it is the massive, corporate-driven plantations that are causing the most harm, degrading the land and leaving little benefit for the communities.
The Dayak people are now faced with a profound dilemma: whether to continue their time-honored rice farming practices, which have sustained them for generations, or to follow the more financially promising path of palm oil. This decision isn’t just about immediate economic gain—it will shape how future generations of Dayak people understand their relationship with the land, nature, and their cultural legacy.
The fields that once represented resilience and a deep connection to their ancestors are now undergoing transformation. With this shift, the Dayak people face new challenges in preserving their heritage while adapting to pressures from industries that harm the very environment that has supported them for millennia.
Managing Palm Oil Industry’s Impact: Balancing Growth and Sustainability
Deforestation is one of the most concerning consequences of palm oil cultivation and industry expansion. However, if companies adhere to the guidelines set by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and implement proper environmental management practices, such as conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (Analisis Dampak Lingkungan - AMDAL), the negative effects can be mitigated. Additionally, ensuring that palm plantations do not exceed one-fifth of the total land area helps maintain ecological balance. When these measures are followed, the environmental impact of palm oil companies can remain controlled and well-managed.
Beyond environmental considerations, it is crucial that local communities benefit from the prosperity and progress brought by the palm oil industry. Companies operating in palm oil production must ensure that economic growth is not concentrated solely within corporate structures but extends to the people living in surrounding areas. This means providing fair employment opportunities, investing in infrastructure, and supporting local businesses.
The trickle-down effect of the palm oil industry should be tangible and directly experienced by nearby communities. Sustainable palm oil production should not only prioritize profitability but also contribute to social and economic development. When managed responsibly, the industry has the potential to create a win-win situation—balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability while uplifting local populations.
By enforcing responsible governance and ethical business practices, the palm oil sector can transform into a model of sustainable development. Rather than being seen as an environmental threat, palm oil can be cultivated in a way that harmonizes economic progress, ecological conservation, and social equity.
-- Masri Sareb Putra
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