Analysing agricultural policy outcomes in the uplands of Indonesia: A multi‐dimensional sustainability assessment

Abstract

A wide range of holistic frameworks are used to assess the sustainability of agriculturalpolicies and programs, but much of the existing research tends to overlook the socio-cultural and governance dimensions of sustainability. This article aims to address thosegaps by comprehensively assessing the environmental, economic, social, and politicaldimensions of sustainability. We use a case study of irrigation policies for agriculturalexpansion that target the Pagar Alam upland region in Indonesia. The assessment revealsopportunities and threats from the policy that affect the sustainability of upland land-scapes and communities. By overly focusing on productivity goals while ignoring othersustainability criteria, the policy generates risks that threaten existing sustainable devel-opment pathways. To achieve positive policy outcomes, Indonesia needs to reconcile itsnational food production goal with local development goals. Lastly, to optimise policyoutcomes, agri-sustainability research should apply comprehensive approaches thatsimultaneously address multiple sustainability dimensions.