InfoSAWIT, BALI – Sonya Dewi, Director for Asia at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), addressed the challenges and opportunities in agricultural expansion, including palm oil plantations and sustainable landscape management in Asia, particularly in Indonesia. During the 7th International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) in Bali, she emphasized that forest conversion and land degradation are primary concerns for ecosystem sustainability.
Sonya revealed that there needs to be a balance between socio-economic benefits and environmental conservation. "We have heard the global debate regarding the continuous expansion of land. In Indonesia and several other regions, competition for land use presents unique challenges that need to be addressed wisely," she stated during her speech at ICOPE 2025.
She added that the concept of land sharing is more effective than land sparing, given the high land competition in densely populated areas. Land sharing allows for more inclusive land use by combining various types of agriculture, including palm oil plantations and forestry within one area. "This is where agroforestry approaches play a crucial role in enhancing economic impacts while maintaining social and ecological benefits," she explained.
According to Sonya, agroforestry practices provide advantages at both the plot and landscape levels. "At the plot level, agroforestry can enhance production efficiency compared to more monoculture palm oil plantation systems. With a diversity of plants and commodities, economic risks can be minimized while food security is increased," she said.
Additionally, agroforestry also plays a role in maintaining soil fertility and underground biodiversity. "We often discuss ecosystems above ground, but what happens below the surface is also crucial. Soil microorganisms play a role in maintaining fertility and ecological balance," she added.
At the landscape level, this approach also impacts the prevention of further deforestation. "If agroforestry is managed well, the pressure on natural forests can be reduced. This is an indirect but significant effect," Sonya explained.
As an example, she mentioned a project conducted in North Sumatra a few years ago. "There, we saw how agroforestry integration could enhance land productivity while preserving environmental sustainability," she concluded. (T2)
