Abstract:
Oil palm is extending in Sri Lanka about 6000 ha where 67 % is available in Southern Province.
Watawala, Namunukula and Elpitiya are three regional plantation companies involved with
cultivation. Oil palm has been in existence as a plantation crop in the southern province for more
than five decades strengthening the economy of the country and there is hardly any difference
between rubber cultivation and oil palm. Despite the similarities of benefits of palm oil and
rubber planting on estates, it is a paradox that people in the area oppose only the oil palm
plantations. Most of the objections have come up against oil palm from Galle district. Therefore,
the study was limited to Galle district and was conducted in the year 2010. Primary data was
collected by interviewing people, holding discussions and providing a questionnaire to identify
groups. For this purpose, 125 stakeholders were randomly selected. The views and related data
of the three main regional plantation companies were taken to consideration while assessing the
importance of oil palm cultivation in Galle District. Secondary data consisting of journal articles,
newspaper articles and electronic data on oil palm were analyzed. Rainfall data, snake bite
related incidents, information on oil palm based accidents, dogs and other animal related data,
fertilizer and chemical usage data, affluent disposal methods were collected by consulting
veterinary surgeons, government hospitals and other respective institutes in the area. Reviewing
the data of other oil palm planting nations in the similar circumstances and their counter
arguments too were scrutinized when completing the research. The majority of the concerns
addressed were related to the environment. This includes high water absorption, changes in
weather patterns, land degradation, deforestation and affluent disposal issues. Some of the
social concerns were increased risk of snake bites, higher usage of agrochemicals and fertilizer
and skin diseases spread among dogs. Loss of job opportunities for the plantation workers
caused the most distress amongst the community. 65.4% of the sample population believes that
oil palm cultivation will not have a negative impact on the environment and 65.5% stated that
there are no direct benefits from oil palm. The majority (54%) believed that oil palm was not a
suitable crop to cultivate mainly due to the myths they have heard. Furthermore, 61% of the
sample population agreed that there was insufficient knowledge regarding oil palm cultivation
56% believed that the cultivation of this crop has no impact on the job opportunities. According
to the findings, lack of awareness on oil palm cultivation in the area leads unrest of the
community.
