Abstract
The papoer discusses the involvement of the World Bank in the development of oil palm and coconut over the past three decades and contrasts the facts with the common perceptions of its role in promoting these crops. The proportion of World Bank financing in the projects it has supported is also discussed. The different project approaches that have been adopted are considered, ranging from l; arge-scale industrial estates, through nucleus estate/smallholder schemes, to the support of in situ small holders. The social benefits derived from the investments in the lauric crops financed by the World Bank are presented in terms of employment generation on estates, livelihood enhancement on small holdings and downstream income generation. The benefits to the environment resulting from the project are enumerated.The papoer discusses the involvement of the World Bank in the development of oil palm and coconut over the past three decades and contrasts the facts with the common perceptions of its role in promoting these crops. The proportion of World Bank financing in the projects it has supported is also discussed. The different project approaches that have been adopted are considered, ranging from l; arge-scale industrial estates, through nucleus estate/smallholder schemes, to the support of in situ small holders. The social benefits derived from the investments in the lauric crops financed by the World Bank are presented in terms of employment generation on estates, livelihood enhancement on small holdings and downstream income generation. The benefits to the environment resulting from the project are enumerated.