Scientific Research on Oil Palm Cultivation for the Sustainable Development Goals
„As we know there is a huge change […] in Sumatra from the lowland forest to transformation systems, like rubber and oil palm plantations. […] So, I think, there is really the need for us to study and to find the conciliation between the ecological functions and also the human welfare.“
(EFForTS-Video, 4:44-4:53)Dr. Bambang Irawan, Indonesian Member of the Board of Directors of CRC 990: EFForTS
“Of course, there [regarding land-use transformation] is the need to make decisions, and these decisions are, of course, best based on scientific knowledge. And this is basically the goal of the whole project – to provide the scientific knowledge for making decisions, how to go on in futures, what to develop locally…”
(EFForTS-Video, 05:15-05:35)Prof. Dr. Stefan Scheu, Speaker of CRC 990: EFForTS
Stakeholders in the oil palm sector (e.g., politicians, companies, farmers, villagers), need to make decisions. Scientific research and knowledge is crucial for informed decision-making and for the SDGs in general, but also for sustainable oil palm cultivation in particular.
Task 1: Based on your prior knowledge, write down 2-3 questions that you like to ask to (interdisciplinary) research(ers) on oil palm agroforestry.