Replanting unproductive palm oil with smallholder plantations can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Sumatra, Indonesia

Oil palm (Elaeis guinensis) is a controversial crop. To assess its sustainability, we analysed the contribution of different types of plantations (smallholder, industrial and unproductive) towards meeting six Sustainable Development Goals. Using spatial econometric methods and data from 25,067 villages in Sumatra, Indonesia, we revealed that unproductive plantations are associated with more cases of malnutrition, worsened school access, more air pollution and increased criminality. We also proposed a strategy for sustainable palm oil expansion based on replanting unproductive plantations with either industrial or smallholder palm oil. Smallholder replanting was beneficial for five Goals (Zero poverty, Good health, Quality Education, Environmental preservation and Crime reduction), while the same intervention only improved two Goals in the industrial case (Zero poverty and Quality Education). Our appraisal is relevant to policymakers aiming towards the 2030 Agenda, organisations planning oil palm expansion, and retailers or consumers concerned about the sustainability of oil consumption. Unproductive palm oil is hindering sustainable development in Sumatra, Indonesia, but its replanting through small plantations could contribute more to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals than industrial replanting, suggests a model-data analysis based on 25,067 villages.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the impacts of oil palm plantations on Sustainable Development Goals, finding that unproductive plantations were associated with malnutrition, worsened school access, air pollution, and increased criminality. A strategy for sustainable palm oil expansion through replanting with smallholder or industrial plantations was proposed. Smallholder replanting was beneficial for multiple goals, while industrial replanting only improved a few goals.