Abstract

Although palm oil production and commoditisation has grown tremendously over the years, issues of deforestation, exploitation of locals, limited access to palm oil markets, administrative costs, land rights, and continued loss of natural capital (ecological resources) continue to obscure its contribution to sustainable development in rural areas. Amid these tensions, smallholder farming enterprises have been identified as key to reducing poverty and erosion of natural capital. A key challenge is how to balance the needs of small farmers, palm oil producers, and local communities without compromising ecological resources. Combining quantitative and qualitative methods, this paper examined the politics of palm oil and its impact on poverty alleviation efforts in Rumonge District, Burundi. Survey respondents included 100 farmers and 300 stakeholders purposively selected from the local palm oil sector. Findings revealed that farmers’ contribution to poverty alleviation and nature conservation efforts is constrained by power relations, land tenure insecurity, inadequate support systems, and limited access to financial and technological resources. The paper contributes to development literature by contextualising the sociopolitical dynamics affecting small farmers’ contribution to livelihoods and natural capital. The paper recommends a phased approach to transform and integrate smallholder farming as part of agrarian reforms.

摘要

尽管多年来棕榈油生产和商品化发展迅猛，但森林砍伐、当地人剥削、棕榈油市场准入受限、行政成本、土地权利以及自然资本（生态资源）持续流失等问题继续掩盖其对农村可持续发展。在这些紧张局势中，小农企业被认为是减少贫困和自然资本侵蚀的关键。一个关键的挑战是如何在不损害生态资源的情况下平衡小农户、棕榈油生产商和当地社区的需求。本文结合定量和定性方法，研究了棕榈油的政治及其对布隆迪鲁蒙格区扶贫工作的影响。调查受访者包括 100 名农民和 300 名利益相关者，他们是有意从当地棕榈油行业中挑选出来的。调查结果显示，农民对扶贫和自然保护工作的贡献受到权力关系、土地使用权不安全、支持系统不足以及获得财政和技术资源的机会有限的限制。本文通过将影响小农户对生计和自然资本的贡献的社会政治动态背景化，为发展文献做出了贡献。该文件建议采用分阶段的方法来改造和整合小农农业，将其作为土地改革的一部分。支持系统不足，获得财政和技术资源的机会有限。本文通过将影响小农户对生计和自然资本的贡献的社会政治动态背景化，为发展文献做出了贡献。该文件建议采用分阶段的方法来改造和整合小农农业，将其作为土地改革的一部分。支持系统不足，获得财政和技术资源的机会有限。本文通过将影响小农户对生计和自然资本的贡献的社会政治动态背景化，为发展文献做出了贡献。该文件建议采用分阶段的方法来改造和整合小农农业，将其作为土地改革的一部分。