Palm Oil Production in Borneo - Essay Example

ESSAY: PALM OIL PRODUCTION IN BORNEO Name Institution Instructor Date Introduction Palm oil is a vegetable oil that acquired from reddish pulp (mesocarp) of the oil palm fruits. Palm oil a vegetable oil is edible and has a natural reddish colour due to the presence of high levels of beta-carotene in its content. Palm oil has several fats (both saturated and unsaturated) in its content and is semi-solid at room temperature. Palm oil is one of the most important crops in the economy of Borneo. This is due to its wide usage as an ingredient in cooking in Southeast Asia, the tropical belt of Africa and in certain parts of Brazil. Processing of palm oil allows it usage as an ingredient in many processed foods. Its consumption is largely domes as food with a certain degree of oxidized content. This plant is goes through milling after which it is subjected to a refining process. Here, the processes that take place include fractionation, crystallization and separation (Richmond, 2010). With regard to its market in Borneo and other parts, palm oil has several uses in the industry of commercial food. For this reason, its market is largely spread in many parts of the world. This is especially because of its oxidative stability and relatively low cost in comparison to other oil used in the cooking industry. The other consideration is that, palm has been determined as the appropriate substitute for several trans fats. With reference to social and environmental issues, the use of palm oil as a cooking ingredient has in the past raised concerns from environmentalists and activist groups. This is because the harvesting and wide use of palm oil has largely encouraged a wide clearing of forests to give room for its wide cultivation (Rogers, 2012). In turn, this results in considerable losses with regard to natural habitats of some animals and other endangered species. For this reason, it falls under the categories of the products that cause the highest ecological damage. Expression of a likely viewpoint from a producer As a producer engaging in the industry of palm oil in Borneo there are point of view that I find important to be expressed. There are requirements that are important for consideration by the stakeholders in the industry of palm oil in Borneo. This is because the operators in this industry are in a position to obtain appropriate and clear advice with regard to the required sustainability strategy in as far as production of palm oil in Boneo is concerned. The traceability, reporting and certification of palm oil to allow for ease of accessibility to opportunities with commercial significance are possible in Borneo. In turn, this is expected to bring about a huge worldwide demand for the offers that are made in relation to palm oil. In the previous years, several producers of palm oil in Borneo have had to deal with the challenges brought about by a wrong understanding of the opportunities that have been coming their way (Rowthorn and Williams, 2008). As increments are seen in the pressures resulting from supply chains, there is a high likelihood that other external markets will chip in and take up better initiatives that will allow their products to thrive more than ours. It is for this reason that it is important for our producers and all the stakeholders in the palm oil industry are called upon to come up with accurate strategies that are timely and relevant in addressing issues that are perceived as causing challenges to the business. Sustainability and profitability in the production of Palm Oil in Borneo has managed to examine the increasing benefits associated with the companies involved in the production of palm oil. These benefits are realised following the implementation of the criteria and principles of sustainable palm oil production. Such principles since they play a critical role in guiding financiers and companies on planning and decision-making. Expression of a likely viewpoint from a local village elder When looking at the general industry of palm oil production in Borneo, it is important to think about the aspect of community engagement. There are certain companies that have been involved in the production of palm oil in Borneo for a long time now and they are situated in large chunks of land. It is thus important to consider the existing social relations that influence operations, yields and marketing in a better way. In spite of this, there are challenges that come about with the experience in handling social relations pertaining to the production of palm oil in Borneo. In particular, some estates in this region marred with social unrest and disputes arising from issues of land tenure. This have all resulted from the failure by these companies to allow for community engagements in their affairs. What would seem like an appropriate solution to this problem is the use of a proactive approach in the sense that the local community as well as opinion leaders are involved in important decision making process involving the palm oil production in the local areas. This is because they also form part of the larger stakeholder membership in as far as palm oil production in Borneo is concerned. This would go a long way in preventing the occurrence of such problems in an appropriate time before they cause further destruction and more challenges. The local companies need to establish offices or points of interaction within the local area to allow for effective engagements and meaningful interactions for the member of the local community the aspirations of the palm oil producers in better way. These engagements would play a critical role in providing palm oil production companies with deep insights into the concerns and social landscape of the community within (Seto and Reenberg, 2014). Expression of a likely viewpoint from a powerful politician As a politician and therefore a leader, the expression of my point of view regarding the triple bottom line issues associated with the production of palm oil in in Borneo would largely focus on the solutions more than other things. First, it is important to consider the resolution of the common historical issues that have in the past brought about environmental concerns as well as addressing the plight of the people. The issue of environmental sustainability concerning the production of palm oil in Borneo can be appropriately addressed with the involvement of the civil society as well as various corporations (Rogers, 2012). Two approaches could be of great help in addressing the triple bottom line issues. The approaches are aimed at minimization of the costs involved but at the same time enhancing the efficiency to the acceptable standardized level. Some of the challenges experienced in this case call for great attention from the government since the government has a responsibility to ensure that the plight of its people are addressed in the best way possible. It is also upon it to ensure that enough resources and implementation of policies are focused on ensuring that the palm oil production in Borneo is carried out in line with the requirements of environmental sustainability. The raising global demand for palm oil is presents major business opportunities for those regions that are not able to offer its production. This is another problem facing Borneo region in Indonesia especially the devastating effect on wildlife habitat caused by the introduction of large-scale plantation of palm oil. It is thus important to come up with a plantation plan that will assist in the preservation of the vulnerable wildlife and their habitats (Thiessen, 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, having looked at the description of the palm oil production in Borneo with regard to both social and environmental issues, it is important to offer recommendations that could lead to finding solutions associated with this particular region and its residents. The points of view from local village elder, a palm oil produces and a powerful politician as may be likely expressed are very important considerations in offering reliable and long lasting solutions to the identified issues and challenges. There needs to be policy arrangements, which would be in a position to provide favourable environment to both the engaging in palm oil production in Borneo as well as the local communities. It is recommended that the parties s in charge and those with the responsibility of overseeing the production of palm oil in Borneo come up with a program that would be successful in enforcing the a development policy for the local community. The other thing is the opening up of ways for the implementation of arrangements in policy frameworks as formulated by the government and other relevant stakeholders in the industry of palm oil production. This will not just ensure that the grievances of the local communities are addressed but that the production and marketing of the products happens successfully (Rowthorn and Williams, 2008). This means that the members of the local community do not have to search for jobs involving palm oil production in others areas but they can now consider their local area. The other challenges that need to be addressed include the issues of infrastructure, land registration issues as well as technical issues in this sector of palm oil in Borneo region. References Richmond, S. (2010). Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei. Lonely Planet. Rogers, H. (2012). Green Gone Wrong: How Our Economy Is Undermining the Environmental Revolution. London, UK, Verso. Rowthorn, C., & Williams, C. (2008). Borneo. Footscray, Vic, Lonely Planet. Seto, K. C.-Y., & Reenberg, A. (2014). Rethinking global land use in an urban era. Thiessen, T. (2012). Borneo: Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak. Chalfont St. Peter, Bradt Travel Guides. Read More