The heat is intense, the erosion dramatic. The forest destruction is permanent. Oil palms, which require heavy fertilization, are most productive between three and seven years of age. After 15 years, the trees produce little oil, and are replaced. Even before the plantations close down, entire longhouse villages are often forced to relocate because they can no longer find fresh water, greens and roots, nor grow crops.
Local governments promote palm oil for fast revenue.
Sarawak plans nearly a million acres of oil palm cultivation in 2000. International financial institutions and trade bodies promote the industry as well. Countries are encouraged to convert more land to plantations, export more palm oil, and allow foreign palm oil corporations to own plantation lands. The social effects of oil palm plantations are similarly disruptive. Villagers are promised new jobs and a percent of the profits if they do not resist plantation development on their ancestral lands.