Regional Development, Rural Transformation, and Land Use/Cover Changes in a Fast-Growing Oil Palm Region: The Case of Jambi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

The development policies implemented in Jambi Province, Indonesia, since the New Order era, have encouraged transformations in demography, regional paradigms, growth base sectors, and growth actors. This study aims to understand how the central government’s demographic policies and plantation development program have impacted regional land cover change, rural development transformation, and economic development in Sumatra Island’s biodiversity-rich rainforest region (Jambi Province). This study explores the shifts in village typology that have occurred. Descriptive analysis and cluster analysis were applied to collect data at the provincial level that included population, poverty rate, levels of education, HDI, GRDP, Gini index, and land cover. Village Potential Data at the village level was then used to build an infrastructure index and a diversity of activities index. The results of this study indicated that macro development indicators are in a positive trend: HDI, educational levels, GRDP per capita, and the proportion of the tertiary sector in GRDP have all increased. The growth of the tertiary sector was largely driven by the trade and motorized-vehicle repair sectors. The provincial landscape has changed significantly due to the expansion of oil palm plantations. At the village level, the infrastructure index and diversity index show an increase in the number of facilities and variations in economic activity in most villages. Some shifts in rural typology are highlighted: the increase in urban villages and in villages that specialize in oil palm plantation or other industrial plantation crops.

Governing sustainability: land use change impact on the palm oil industry in Riau Province, Indonesia

“…In line with Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 23 of 2021, the Special Utilization Forest is a forest area permitted for non-forestry activities. Transmigration, settlements, plantations, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, national strategy, national economic recovery, and the food and energy sectors are among the permitted activities (Rustiadi et al, 2023;Yeny et al, 2022). The findings of studies on land policy reforms that mandate plantation corporations to share producing land with farmers who select the land are presented (Azhar et al, 2021).…”

Understanding the Emergence of Rural Agrotourism: A Study of Influential Factors in Jambi Province, Indonesia

“…Rural development-a paradigm oriented towards augmenting the well-being of rural communities-entails constructing and enhancing infrastructure, economic systems, and suitable technology (Rustiadi et al 2018b;Rustiadi et al 2023). Moreover, it places villagers at the forefront, from planning to field implementation.…”

“…Jambi Province in Indonesia has diverse agrotourism potentials within its villages (Rustiadi et al 2023;Kusumastut and Mukhzarudfa 2018;Wahyuni and Syamsir 2021). Agrotourism and nature-based tourism activities involving residents' participation are increasingly vibrant in the rural areas of Jambi Province (Zuriati and Mariya 2020;Saadah et al 2021).…”