THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY OF INDEPENDENT PALM OIL FARMERS RESULTING FROM GLOBAL MARKET PRESSURES IN KETAPANG DISTRICT, WEST KALIMANTAN

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the social vulnerability of independent palm oil farmers in Ketapang District, West Kalimantan, as a result of the increasingly stringent pressures of global market policies. The focus of this research is directed towards how international policies, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and sustainability certification standards (ISPO, RSPO), impact farmers' access to global markets and their socio-economic well-being. The approach used is qualitative with a case study design, utilizing in-depth interviews, field observations, and policy analysis. The findings indicate that global regulatory pressures create new vulnerabilities for independent palm oil farmers, characterized by low capacity to meet sustainability standards, limited access to financing, and weak institutional support. Global policies, which have not been matched with local capacity building, result in decreased competitiveness and the risk of market exclusion for independent farmers. These findings highlight the importance of inclusive sustainable transition strategies through land legalization, the establishment of traceability hubs, and support for financing and certification assistance for independent palm oil farmers.