With the European Commission recently launching a proposal to reduce the amount of food-based biofuels it sources, a study by the World Agroforestry Centre team in Indonesia clarified the socioeconomic importance of oil palm.
In the 21st century, extension services will need to grapple with challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, gender inequality and the globalization of agriculture.
Establishing oil palm plantations is one of the most important drivers of land conversion in Indonesia. Increasing the carbon efficiency of these plantations may substantially contribute to reducing emissions while maintaining economic growth.
The World Agroforestry Centre’s chief science advisor argues that researchers need to address more complex issues of policy and evidence if they want to have a real impact.
