Too Little, Too Imbalanced: Nutrient Deficiencies in Indonesian Smallholder Oil Palm Plantations

Authors: Ya Li Lim, Fatima A. Tenorio, Juan Pablo Monzón, Hendra Sugianto, C. R. Donough, Suroso Rahutomo, Fahmuddin Agus, M.A. Slingerland, Nuzul H. Darlan, Asri A. Dwiyahreni, Rana Farrasati, Nurul Mahmudah, Tohirin Muhamad, Denni Nurdwiansyah, Sandri Palupi, Iput Pradiko, Shofia Saleh, Muhdan Syarovy, Dhimas Wiratmoko, Patricio Grassini | Year: 2023 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103729

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Smallholder farmers manage approximately 40% of Indonesia’s total oil palm area — a substantial contribution to national crude palm oil production. But behind this figure lies a concerning reality: the majority of smallholder plantations operate far below their productivity potential, and one of the main causes is suboptimal nutrient management. This large-scale study, one of the first comprehensive assessments of nutrient status among Indonesian oil palm smallholders, reveals just how serious this problem is.

The study analyzed data from hundreds of smallholder farms across various oil palm-producing provinces in Indonesia. The research team collected leaf and soil samples, recorded actual fertilization practices, and measured FFB production to obtain a comprehensive picture of nutrient status and its relationship with productivity. The results were then compared with optimal nutrient recommendation standards for oil palm.

The findings were both surprising and concerning. Nearly all surveyed farms showed nutrient deficiencies, whether total insufficiency or imbalances between nutrient elements. Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) were the most commonly deficient, though deficiency patterns varied across regions reflecting differences in soil characteristics and local practices. More worryingly, many farmers applied no fertilizer at all, while those who did often used the wrong type or dosage — driven more by limited knowledge and capital than by negligence.

The following table summarizes the factors studied along with their roles and level of influence.

Factor	Role in Study	Condition / Context	Influence Level	Specific Finding
Nitrogen & Potassium Deficiency	Two most commonly deficient macronutrients in Indonesian smallholder plantations	Found across nearly all surveyed farms from various oil palm-producing provinces	Very High	Deficiency patterns differ across regions reflecting local soil characteristics. Farms applying no fertilizer or using wrong dosage/type dominated the findings
Smallholder Yield Gap	Large production gap between smallholder farms and professionally managed large estates	Smallholders manage ~40% of Indonesia’s oil palm area yet productivity far below potential	Very High	Most of this gap can be explained by differences in nutrient management, not land or weather factors
Limited Capital & Knowledge	Root cause behind suboptimal fertilization practices, not farmer negligence	Many farmers do not fertilize due to capital constraints, not unwillingness	Very High	Farmers who do fertilize often use wrong type or dosage due to limited access to accurate information and recommendations
Leaf & Soil Analysis	Site-specific nutrient diagnostic tool enabling targeted fertilizer recommendations	Affordable access remains a barrier for many smallholder farmers	Significant	Broader subsidy programs for leaf and soil analysis could be a highly cost-effective policy intervention to boost smallholder productivity
Comprehensive Intervention	Multi-pronged approach needed to meaningfully close the productivity gap	Includes: effective nutrition training, affordable soil analysis access, accessible fertilizer credit schemes	Significant	No single intervention is sufficient; a combination of training, information access, and financial support is needed simultaneously

The productivity gap between smallholder farms and professionally managed large estates can largely be explained by differences in nutrient management. Closing this gap requires comprehensive interventions, ranging from effective nutrition training programs, access to affordable soil and leaf analysis, to fertilizer credit schemes that are more accessible to farmers.

Have questions about this research or similar experiences in your plantation? Write in the comments section — we’d be happy to discuss.

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