Improving smallholder beef supply and livelihoods through cattle-palm system integration in Indonesia

This project investigates how integrating beef cattle with oil palm production can improve the productivity, profitability and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Indonesia. It addresses the limited and uneven adoption of palm–cattle integration, despite its potential to increase beef supply, make better use of land and feed resources, diversify farm income, and improve oil palm production efficiency. The project aimed to identify constraints and opportunities for successful integration, develop strategies to overcome these constraints, identify viable business models, and provide approaches for scaling up palm–cattle systems. Expected benefits include improved cattle productivity and smallholder income, more efficient use of plantation resources and agricultural by-products, stronger and more sustainable business models, and broader economic and social benefits for farming communities and other participants in the beef value chain.

Funder: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Award Value: $4,762,911