Women’s Aspirations for Income Opportunities in Indonesian Oil Palm Villages

Abstract

The expansion of male-dominated cash crops marginalizes women in the economic value chain, especially in Indonesia’s palm oil industry. However, research on pathways for women’s economic integration remains limited. This study addresses this gap through an exploratory empirical investigation using primary data from 65 women from selected villages in Jambi, a key province for oil palm cultivation in Indonesia. We explore women’s work aspirations in general and specifically with regard to beekeeping, an activity that may represent a complementary livelihood strategy with the potential to contribute to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Findings show that although household income rose due to palm oil, women nevertheless aspire to work, indicating a clear demand for economic participation and agency. We cluster their aspired professions into “Traders,” “Education and health-oriented aspirations,” and “Other aspirations.” The majority of women are open to beekeeping activities, and those who are not raise concerns that could largely be addressed through information, training, and the use of stingless bees. Further research is needed to understand what this means in terms of market potential and adoption rates. Our results offer critical insights for policymakers and researchers working toward more equitable and sustainable smallholder agricultural value chains as we identify concrete entry points, such as targeted training and the promotion of low-maintenance activities like stingless beekeeping, for diversifying women’s income opportunities in oil palm-dominated landscapes.