Oil palm promotes economic and social development in the communities. As of 2018, oil palm was cultivated in 160 municipalities in 21 departments of the country, creating approximately 190 thousand jobs and benefiting thousands of families. A study conducted by Fedesarrollo titled “Characterization of labor in the Colombian palm sector” showed that this activity creates formal and stable jobs, with effects on improving the living standards of the workers and their families.
This sector is one of the leading promoters and examples of the Productive Strategic Alliances between large, medium and small farmers, and contributes to the adequate exploitation of the land as well as to the competitiveness of the agribusiness sector.
There are approximately 138 partnerships altogether in the palm regions, equal to over 60 thousand hectares planted with palm. In turn, the sector involves about 5.000 smallholders who are engaged in this activity, equal to over 51 thousand hectares planted. Thus, this is one of the industries that generates the most social and economic inclusion in Colombian agriculture.
Furthermore, palm growers have developed social programs mainly aimed at providing necessary assistance to families, early childhood, the elderly, and others, with approximately 13 corporate foundations which offer progress and wellbeing to communities in palm growing areas to date.
