Resumo

OCAMPO VALENCIA, Sebastián. AGRO-INDUSTRY AND ARMED CONFLICT THE CASE OF PALM OIL. colomb.int. [online]. 2009, n.70, pp.169-190. ISSN 0121-5612.

This paper analyzes palm oil production based on theories on the relationship between resources and armed conflict, which state that financing resources are necessary for a conflict to continue. At first a review of the relevant literature on resource typologies and on the relationship between agricultural production and conflict is made. After this, data on the process of palm oil production is presented. Next it is shown how, in response to the claims that link palm oil to land problems, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was created, and the case of Colombia, where there has been an association both between the crop and forced displacement as well as between palm oil and peace building processes. Based on the analysis of the data, the paper suggests that costs involved in the production process make the palm oil growers an easy target for armed groups. In addition, while the palm doesn't produce forced displacement by itself, its process of production might generate incentives in that direction.

Palavras-chave : oil palm; displacement; armed conflict; peace building; natural resources.

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