Introduction
“Demand for palm oil has further increased in recent years as many developed economies are shifting away from the use of trans fats, to healthier alternatives.”—World Growth (2011, p. 6), The Economic Benefit of Palm Oil to Indonesia
The demand for palm oil was significantly high before recent research studies that confirm the fact that trans fats and hydrogenated fats impact negatively on one's health by causing diseases influenced by inflammation. However, after the revelation of the findings of these research studies, leading producers of palm oil, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, felt the need to increase their production of palm oil to meet the increasing global demand for this commodity. Furthermore, Indonesia and Malaysia appear to be benefitting economically from palm oil production. Palm oil production is said to provide a “means of income and economic development” to a large number of poor individuals in Indonesia, in particular (World Growth 2011, p. 6). In addition, World Growth (2011) argues that palm oil can be used in the manufacturing of biodiesel fuels which reduces carbon emissions and, consequently, helps in alleviating problems associated with global warming and climate change. Nevertheless, critics posit that palm oil production have negative impacts environmentally (such as promoting the mono-cropping in forested areas which affect the biodiversity of the Borneo region) and socially by affecting the “social relations and land ownership in rural areas” (Obidzinski 2012, p. 28). Therefore, it can be argued that although palm oil production is very important in Indonesia and Malaysia because of the increased global demand, the high output rates due to the large number of palm plantations present in that country, and the economic benefits that could be had from the production of this commodity, it will be best that an environmentally sustainable alternative agricultural product be produced and exported by these South- eastern Asian countries because these countries, particularly the region of Borneo, will benefit from using other oil producing plants, such as the moringa tree, that can be grown in variety of climates, soil types, and do not have to be cultivated in using the mono-cropping method; and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demand that the forested areas of Southeast Asia not be converted for agricultural purposes.
The Importance of the Palm Oil Industry in Borneo
The island of Borneo has counties belonging to three different countries: Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia. As mentioned previously, two of the world’s leading producers of palm oil are Malaysia and Indonesia (UNEP Global Environment Alert Service 2). UNEP Global Environment Alert Service’s report noted that, as of 2009, Indonesia produced more than 20,000 tonnes annually while Malaysia produced less than 20,000 tonnes (UNEP Global Environment Alert Service 2).
Palm oil production is becoming increasingly important in Borneo because, quite simply, this commodity is increasingly becoming more important in the production of food items, for instance. World Growth’s report reveals that developed nations are increasingly becoming aware of the “health risks” of these trans fats and, as a result, are “limiting their use” (2011, p. 8). Consequently, palm oil is increasingly being required by developed countries to replace the use of trans fats. The report noted that countries such Denmark, Switzerland, and some U.S. states have “banned the use” of trans fats in places such as fast food franchises and restaurants (2011, p. 8). In addition, countries such as Brazil, Canada, and United Kingdom have recently implemented policies that are intended at decreasing the use of trans fats and requiring that trans fats be listed on food labels (World Growth 2011, p. 8). World Growth’s report indicates that palm oil is considered a suitable alternative to trans fats because since these fats do not have a taste or odor then this means that the process of hydrogenation is unnecessary to achieve a “solid taste” (2011, p. 8).
Besides being a key ingredient in the manufacturing of food items, such sweets, baked goods, fast foods and snacks, UNEP Governmental Alert Service’s report (2011) mentions that palm is also used in the manufacturing of detergents and cosmetics. World Growth reported that palm oil is used in the production of “pharmaceuticals and a wide variety of other household and industrial products” (2011, p. 7).
Furthermore, it should be noted that palm oil is increasingly used in the production of biofuels, as noted by Obidzinski et al (2012) in their article, “Environmental and Social Impacts of Oil Palm Plantations and their Implications for Biofuel Production in Indonesia.” In addition, UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service (2011) mentions that high-yielding oil palm varieties that are cross-bred with the help of breeding programs can yield over 5 tons of oil per hectare per year, and this amount excludes the palm kernel oil. The report reveals that oils comprise “10 per cent of the total dry biomass” produced by the oil palm (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, p. 2). However, the 90 per cent remaining could be a possible source of fiber and “cellulosic material for second-generation biofuel production” (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, p. 2). Obidzinski et al explain that the demand for biofuel has been spurred by the “high fossil fuel prices, rising demand for energy, and increasing concerns about the implications of fossil fuels on global climate” (2012, p. 25).
Indonesia itself has become a leading supplier of biofuels, especially oil palm-based biodiesel, to the global market (2012, p. 25). Moreover, Indonesia has recognized the importance of biofuels for its own economy. Obidzinski et al acknowledge that since Indonesia has been “long dependent” on energy produced by fossil fuels for “revenues and to finance development,” it is now even more urgent that Indonesia “conserve its remaining oil reserves” and take advantage of alternative energy sources, such as biofuels (2012, p. 27). Nevertheless, it should be noted that Indonesia has not reached the targeted levels of oil palm-based biofuels (Obidzinski et al 2012). Obidzinski et al indicate that in late 2007, the Indonesian Association of Biofuel Producers (APROBI) had reported that around seventeen biodiesel companies had decreased production or “temporarily suspended operations” (2012, p. 27). The article also noted that only five biodiesel companies were operational in 2008, which led to a decline in biodiesel production by 60 per cent (Obidzinski et al 2012). The decline in biodiesel production came as a result of the decrease in price of fossil fuels on the global market and an increase in the price of the “main biofuel feedstock” (that is, the crude palm oil); thereby, making oil palm-based biofuels “uncompetitive” (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 27). It should be noted that the current global oil prices are continuing to decrease, thus making the production of oil palm-based biofuels even more unattractive for investors.
Additionally, palm oil is unattractive for several reasons. Firstly, oil palms are produced by using the mono cropping farming techniques which depletes the soil of nutrients and relies on the “intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides” (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, p. 2). UNEP Global Environmental Alert System’s report mentions that oil palm plantations are normally “destroyed and replanted at 25 to 30 year intervals” (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, p. 2). Moreover, the report notes that extensive oil palm cultivation has the tendency to decrease “freshwater and soil quality” and negatively affects rural communities which depend on ecosystem products (such as food and medicines) and the “hydrological cycle and soil protection” provided by the forests on the island of Borneo (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, p. 2).
It is also significant to acknowledge that although it has been documented that found a gradual increase in the palm oil industry’s contribution to “provincial GDP and farmer incomes” (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 28) and that small land holders have experienced economic benefits, persons who tend to truly benefit the most from palm oil production are those who are above a particular “threshold of agricultural skill and income” (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 28). Furthermore, large scale oil palm plantations have often been connected to with “negative social impacts” on the “rural communities and indigenous people” of Borneo (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 28). It has been documented that oil palm cultivation has caused “food insecurity” by readjusting the cultivation practices of the Dyak communities, for instance (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 28). In addition, research studies discovered many instances of human rights abuse by plantation owners in the areas of “land acquisition and plantation development” (Obidzinski et al 2012, p. 28).
Consequently, a suitable alternative need to be found which would provide the same benefits as the oil palms but could be cultivated on a commercial basis with the use of mono-cropping, and will provide food (and even medicine) to the natives of Borneo; and the planting of this alternative will also adversely affect the soil and freshwater quality of the surroundings as well as the ecological services provided by the forests (such as the hydrological cycle and soil protection).
Moringa Oil Production as an Alternative to Palm Oil Production in Borneo
According to Habibie et al moringa (or the scientific name, moringa oleifera) is an “important food commodity” (2013, p. 1). The authors note that seed can be “pounded, roasted, or pressed into sweet, desiccating oil” (Habibie et al 2013, p. 1). This is known commercially as Ben oil (Habibie et al 2013, p. 1). It is also known as behen oil (Summers 2014). Summers explains that it is called this because it has a “high concentration of behenic acid, a fatty acid” (2014, par. 5). Furthermore, because the many antioxidants present in this oil, it has a long shelf and is resistant to rancidity unlike most other oils (Summers 2014, par. 5).
The moringa oil can be used for many purposes. It can be used as cooking fuel, as an anti-aging ingredient in cosmetic and beauty products, such as lotions, hair care products, face creams, perfumes, soaps, liquid body washes, deodorants, lip balms, aromatherapy and massage oils. It can also be used as a lubricant for watches and other machinery (Summers 2014, par. 4). Understandably, because of the moringa oil’s various uses it is in high demand in the global markets. In addition, Habibie et al note that seed press cake, which is left over from the processing of moringa oil, can be used in the treatment of contaminated or polluted water (Summer 2014, p. 2). Bichi notes in the article, “A Review of the Applications of Moringa Oleifera Seeds Extract in Water Treatment,” that moringa seeds have been used in countries, such as Sudan, for “domestic household water treatment” (2013, p. 3). Bichi mentions that moringa seeds are coagulating agents since they have the ability to remove substances which are comprised mainly of “clay minerals and microscopic organisms” (2013, p. 4). Habibie et al (2013) note in their research that moringa seeds can remove both gram positive and negative bacteria in water. Therefore, this means that after the oil has been extracted then the seed press cake can also be used by the natives of Borneo to improve the quality of the water by purifying it.
It should be noted that the moringa tree is fast growing, and one needs not to wait for an extended period of time to see the tree producing pods. Conversely, the oil palm tree produces fruit in the third year, and reaches the peak in the twentieth year (UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011). This means that the farming technique, rotational cropping, could be used to cultivate the moringa trees. Since the trees can be grown in a short period of time before producing seed pods, then commercial farmers can be perceive rotational cropping as economically viable. Rotational cropping will allow the soil to rest and to replenish the minerals which have been lost during the years of cultivation. On the other hand, rotational cropping will not be economically viable since these farmers need to wait three years before seeing the oil palm produce fruit. Consequently, this makes the cultivation of moringa trees more environmentally sustainable than oil palm cultivation.
Moreover, the pods of the moringa tree as well as thin covering around the seeds can be used to fertilize the soil; thereby, reducing one’s dependence on harmful chemicals to fertilize the soil, which adversely affect the soil’s quality.
In addition, the all parts of the moringa tree can be used for both food and medicine, as indicated by Habibie et al (2013). This means that the natives of Borneo can perceive the moringa trees as a suitable alternative for other plants that were previously used food and medicine, which have been removed for moringa cultivation. Furthermore, to reduce the number of moringa trees that need to be grown, then bees can be used to help with the pollination of the moringa trees so that each tree would produce a substantial number of seed pods to produce a sufficient amount of moringa oil.
Borneo would need to invest in factories that contain machinery to shell, de-hull, and press moringa seeds. These factories will also need a storage area to store and dry fresh moringa seeds. Persons will be needed to harvest the pods, store the pods, operate the machinery, and package and ship the finished products.
References
Bichi, M 2013, “A Review of the Applications of Moringa Olifeira Seeds Extract in Water Treatment”, Civil and Environmental Research, vol. 3, no. 8, pp. 1-10.
Habibie, R., Martatino, I., & Widodo, P. 2013, A Future Health Plant: Moringa oleifera use in Indonesia, Slide Share. Available from: <http://www.slideshare.net/NickFMartin/a-future-moringa-oleifera-usinginindonesia20131228042405024>. [December 10, 2014].
Obidzinski, K., Adriani, R., Komarudin, H., & Andrianto, A., 2012, “Environmental and Social Impacts of Oil Palm Plantations and their Implications for Biofuel Production in Indonesia”, Local, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 25-43.
Summers, G., 2014, “Moringa Oil Skin Benefits”, About.com. Available from: <http://multiculturalbeauty.about.com/od/Ingredients/a/Moringa-Oil-Skin-Benefits.htm>. [December 10, 2014].
UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service 2011, Oil Palm Plantations: Threats and Opportunities for Tropical Ecosystems, UNEP, Geneva.
World Growth 2011, The Economic Benefit of Palm Oil to Indonesia, World Growth, Arlington.
