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Power dynamic in smallholders’ participation in sustainable certification: A case study of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil certification

Yuliawati, Devi LU (2016) MIDM19 20161
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study analyses the power dynamic in the government-led sustainable certification, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and how it affects equitable participation, especially the smallholders who are the bottom actors in the industry. A case study was carried out in Jambi province, as one of the largest palm oil producers in the country. This study examines various actors related to the certification through semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive perspective of the integration process, from national to local level. The political ecology lens is used to understand of how the correlation of power and knowledge influences the equitable participation in managing the highly contested palm oil sector. This study finds... (More)
This study analyses the power dynamic in the government-led sustainable certification, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and how it affects equitable participation, especially the smallholders who are the bottom actors in the industry. A case study was carried out in Jambi province, as one of the largest palm oil producers in the country. This study examines various actors related to the certification through semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive perspective of the integration process, from national to local level. The political ecology lens is used to understand of how the correlation of power and knowledge influences the equitable participation in managing the highly contested palm oil sector. This study finds that the power dynamic creates a domination from the powerful actor in the certification chain, and this actor tends to frame the initiative to protect their own interests. Furthermore, the unequal power relations influence the information flow that is required to include the smallholder in the certification chain. Moreover, when putting the policy into practice, the limited capacity of the actors may hinder equitable participation. Finally, the lack of a master plan to integrate the smallholders to the chain creates a scattered process that may end in an ineffective implementation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Yuliawati, Devi LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20161
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
sustainable certification, oil palm, ISPO, smallholders, participation, power dynamic, political ecology, Indonesia
language
English
id
8905438
date added to LUP
2018-03-09 10:37:39
date last changed
2018-03-09 10:37:39
@misc{8905438,
  abstract     = {{This study analyses the power dynamic in the government-led sustainable certification, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and how it affects equitable participation, especially the smallholders who are the bottom actors in the industry. A case study was carried out in Jambi province, as one of the largest palm oil producers in the country. This study examines various actors related to the certification through semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive perspective of the integration process, from national to local level. The political ecology lens is used to understand of how the correlation of power and knowledge influences the equitable participation in managing the highly contested palm oil sector. This study finds that the power dynamic creates a domination from the powerful actor in the certification chain, and this actor tends to frame the initiative to protect their own interests. Furthermore, the unequal power relations influence the information flow that is required to include the smallholder in the certification chain. Moreover, when putting the policy into practice, the limited capacity of the actors may hinder equitable participation. Finally, the lack of a master plan to integrate the smallholders to the chain creates a scattered process that may end in an ineffective implementation.}},
  author       = {{Yuliawati, Devi}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Power dynamic in smallholders’ participation in sustainable certification: A case study of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil certification}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}