October 2014: On the occasion of World Food Day, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) published a book exploring how the production of oil palm can, if managed correctly, contribute to a rapid decline in rural poverty without causing widespread deforestation.

In making its case, the book ‘Palms of Controversies – Oil palm and development challenges,’ suggests that joint strategies should be developed at the national level in order to manage the establishment or expansion of oil palm plantations. It posits that such strategies should explore options for forest certification that consider quality control, conservation and social responsibility.

To avoid further controversy in oil palm production, the book highlights the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach that involves smallholders, non-governmental organizations, agro-industry, and governments. The publication calls for the recognition of land and use rights and the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

With regard to environmental considerations, the book highlights that intensification is a preferable option to expansion and suggests that where expansion does occur, plantations should be established on already degraded or deforested land. It also calls for the establishment of forest reserves to ensure the conservation of biodiversity. CIFOR is part of the CGIAR Consortium. [CIFOR publication page] [Publication: Palms of Controversies – Oil palm and development challenges]