Sustainability analysis of cattle and palm oil integration system in Indonesia: environmental, economic, and social perspective

Abstract

Abstract The cattle and palm oil integration system (SISKA) constitutes an innovative land-use strategy with the potential to enhance productivity, strengthen food security, and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with conventional palm oil plantation practices. This study assessed the sustainability performance of SISKA in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, across dimensions economic, ecological, and social. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and field surveys involving 154 respondents comprising SISKA farmers and relevant stakeholders. Sustainability evaluation employed a Multidimensional Scaling approach based on the RAPFISH framework, modified into RAP-ISCOP to accommodate attributes specific to cattle-palm oil integration. The analysis indicates that SISKA demonstrates a moderate level of sustainability, reflected by an overall index score of 62.66. Among the assessed dimensions, the social dimension exhibits the highest sustainability level (71.18), followed by the ecological (58.82) and economic (57.97) dimensions. Sensitivity analysis identifies several leverage attributes with strong influence on sustainability outcomes, including cattle herd scale, utilization of palm oil by-products and cattle manure, partnership effectiveness, and conflict management capacity. These findings suggest that while the social dimension is relatively robust, targeted improvements are required within the economic and ecological dimensions, particularly in relation to productivity enhancement, resource use efficiency, and institutional strengthening. With appropriate policy support, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and continuous capacity building for farmers, SISKA holds considerable potential to evolve into a strategic model for sustainable agricultural development. Its wider adoption could substantially contribute to national food security, optimize natural resource utilization, and foster socio-economic development in Indonesia.

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