Sustainable Food and Agriculture Study Reveals Land Use Change Threatens Food Security in Indonesia

Strategic Insights -

Research published in the Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management explores the impact of land use change on agricultural carrying capacity and food security in Indonesia. The study, conducted by researchers from University Gadjah Mada, used remote sensing imagery and cellular automata simulations to predict land use changes in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The findings indicate that the expansion of built-up land area will decline agricultural land carrying capacity and increase food insecurity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the built-up land area in the Special Region of Yogyakarta will expand between 2026 and 2034, leading to a decline in agricultural land carrying capacity.
  • The agricultural land carrying capacity in the special region decreased from 1.034 in 2022 to 0.0026 in 2018, indicating a significant decline in food production capacity.
  • The study recommends proactive approaches to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural development, including preserving agricultural land and adopting agricultural advances.
  • The researchers used the cellular automata approach to simulate land use changes, which predicted the highest land use change in 2034 will have the greatest impact on land carrying capacity and food security.
  • The study sites, Kulon Progo Regency and Sleman Regency, had a lower food security level than the previous year, indicating a decline in food production and security.
  • The study highlights the complex interactions between land use change, land carrying capacity, and food security, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security.

Statistics:

  • The agricultural land carrying capacity in the special region of Yogyakarta ranged from 0.0026 to 1.034 between 2018 and 2022.
  • In 2018, most areas in the region had high food security, but Yogyakarta City had the lowest food security at 66.34.
  • In 2022, Kulon Progo Regency and Sleman Regency had a lower food security level than the previous year, with a decline in food production capacity.

Sources:

  • "Modeling the effects of land use change on agricultural carrying capacity and food security". Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 2025, 11(2):533-554.
  • University Gadjah Mada
  • R. Harini, Department of Environmental Geography, Faculty of Geography, University Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • R. Rijanta, E.H. Pangaribowo, R.F. Putri, I. Sukri
  • Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management (GJESM Publisher)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.22034/gjesm.2025.02.10