Readiness of oil palm smallholders in facing oil palm replanting in North Sumatra

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the development of smallholder oil palm plantations and the performance of smallholder oil palm plantations, and to study the readiness of smallholders in facing the oil palm replanting (rejuvenation). Samples were taken using purposive sampling technique. The method used was qualitative method with descriptive approach. Data filtering instruments used was in-depth observation, documentation and interview. This study showed that there were actions to show readiness that had been done by oil palm smallholders in facing oil palm replanting, those were: by having another plantation area in rejuvenated (replanted) area, by having other jobs and other incomes. The impact was that there was a period of non-productive oil palm and farmers' income was no longer there.