Public policies for oil palm cultivation: the case of the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico

This paper analyzes government policies aimed at promoting the cultivation of oil palm and converting areas currently used for other crops to this purpose. Chiapas is the main state by planted area and value of production generated by oilseed; the highest percentage of municipalities and production units is located in the Soconusco region. It is argued that the design of public policies is more oriented towards the needs of companies that use the raw material than to the social and economic benefits of producers, without taking into account the probable environmental effects of palm expansion. It is concluded that government policies suffer from a lack of continuity, are improvised and respond to short-term rather than long-term goals.