Preparing for Transformation: Prerequisites and Transition Mechanisms for Sustainable Land Governance Reform in Indonesian Oil Palm Plantations

This journal discusses the need for reform in the governance of Indonesia's oil palm plantations to ensure more equitable land access without disrupting productivity, investment climate, and social stability. Through a qualitative literature review of land reform experiences in various countries, institutional transition theory, as well as studies on investment and agrarian conflict, this study emphasizes that a coercive approach risks reducing production, triggering conflicts, and weakening business certainty, especially in perennial commodities like palm oil. Conversely, gradual reform supported by institutional readiness, plantation data, strengthening of cooperatives, extension services, beneficiary selection mechanisms, and a clear legal framework is considered more feasible. This article recommends an incentive-based transition model, phased implementation, and risk mitigation to ensure that the land redistribution agenda aligns with the productivity and sustainability of the palm oil sector.