Dynamic farmers, dead plantations, and the myth of the lazy native

This essay draws on insights from ethnographic and historical research in Indonesia to challenge a stubborn dualism that presents farmers as subsistence-oriented risk-averse, contrast plantation corporations which are assumed maximize productivity profit. Drawing this dualism, setting aside centuries of enthusiastic farmer engagaement growing global market crops, oil palm their government supporters maintain not interested palm, or cannot do so efficiently, while can be trusted get the job done. The troubles theoretical, empirical, political grounds.