This study aims to (1) identify the factors affecting the production of oil palm cultivation business by the smallholders and (2) identify the technical level as well as factors infl uencing business ineffi ciency of oil palm cultivation by the smallholders in Air Sugihan Sub District of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatera Province. This research uses the basic method of analytical descriptive method. The data were collected by way of observation and direct interviews in the fi eld guided by a questionnaire. The research location was determined purposively, that is in Pangkalan Damai Village, Air Sugihan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality, South Sumatera Province. Sampling was conducted using non probabilistic sampling method (purposive sampling). The research investigated 79 smallholder farmers of oil palm cultivation in Pangkalan Damai village of Air Sugihan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality, South Sumatera Province.. On the basis of the analysis, it is revealed that (1) the factors affecting the increase of palm production were labor, land area, TSP fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, organic fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides which also have an effect on decreasing palm production. (2) Palm plantation business was technically effi cient with the average technical level of smallholder palm farmers in Air Sugihan Sub-district of Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality of 0.86090. Factors that decrease the technical ineffi ciency in smallholder palm cultivation in Air Sugihan Sub-district of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency were farmers' education level . This information can be used by the goverment to improve technical effi ciency through education in the form of counseling and training to increase production.
INTISARIPenelitian ini bertujuan (1) mengetahui faktor yang mempengaruhi produksi usaha perkebunan kelapa sawit rakyat dan (2) mengetahui tingkat efi siensi teknis serta faktor yang mempengaruhi inefi siensi usaha perkebunan kelapa sawit rakyat di Kecamatan Air Sugihan Kabupaten Ogan Komering Ilir Provinsi Sumatera Selatan. Metode dasar yang digunakan