Negotiating Livelihood Resilience: Everyday Strategies of Independent Oil Palm Smallholders Facing Market and Policy Shocks

This article discusses the crucial role of independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia's economy and their vulnerability to market shocks and policies. The research aims to examine how smallholders cope with price volatility, changes in domestic regulations, and global demands such as EUDR. The method used is a qualitative literature review of recent studies since 2020 with a Sustainable Livelihoods approach. The results show three main strategies: absorptive (mitigating short-term impacts), adaptive (diversification and practice adjustments), and transformative (collective action, certification, replanting). Smallholder resilience is influenced by access to assets, land legality, and policy support. This study emphasizes the importance of policy reform, inclusivity, and institutional support to promote the sustainability of the palm oil sector.