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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sorghum is a grain-producing commodity with the seeds being a food source, while the leaves, stems, and bran serve as animal feed. The productivity depends on the specific variety, environment, infrastructure, and technology used. Sorghum cultivation in Indonesia is carried out primarily using agroforestry or monoculture. Despite not being as popular compared to rice and corn due to the prevalence of these staples in Indonesian diets, sorghum has the potential to replace corn because its cultivation is easier and the results are more profitable. Therefore, this study aimed to determine sustainability index and potential of sorghum for food and feed by identifying dimensions and attributes that influence sustainability. METHODS: This study was conducted at Raji, Demak, Central Java, Indonesia in October 2023. Data were collected through focus group discussions and structural questionnaires consisting of 28 attributes associated with environmental, social, economic, and technological dimensions. Multidimensional scaling method and Rapfish software were used for data analysis. Monte Carlo analysis was used to ascertain sustainability level and attributes leverage, as well as check errors and variations in assessment. FINDINGS: The results showed that sustainability index of sorghum for food and feed was 79.67, categorized as very sustainable. Analysis across four dimensions showed that the social dimension had the highest (83.80) sustainability index, followed by the technological (82.28), economical (77.46), and environmental (75.15) dimensions. A total of 12 attributes were found to greatly affect sustainability. These included land availability, the efficiency of water used, the prevention of natural resource exploitation, motivation level, minimal interference with primary agricultural activities, community acceptance, productivity, sales profit level, ease of sale and cultivation, tools availability, and technological sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Sustainability index of sorghum for food and feed was categorized as very sustainable with a value of 79.67. This index consisted of the environmental (75.15), social (83.80), economical (77.46), and technological dimensions (82.28). The average productivity at the study site was 6-7 tons per hectare (tons/ha), with a production potency of 300-350 tons/year. Additionally, the potency of sorghum stover production was 471.8 ton per year of dry matter and could be used as feed for 163 animal units/year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Integrated farming is an efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural activity that uses low-input resources, including abundant local materials, such as waste. According to previous studies, this program has been adopted by the Indonesian government to facilitate the achievement of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the level of sustainability of low-input integrated agricultural farming by determining and analyzing the sustainability index. METHODS: Experts and business operators engaged in the integrated production of organic fertilizer, corn, and laying hen farming conducted scientific assessments to gather primary and secondary data. This was carried out through Focus Group Discussions and the completion of a questionnaire containing 34 attributes linked to environmental, economical, social, technological, and institutional aspects. The data obtained were then analyzed using a multidimensional scale technique. Monte Carlo analysis and alternating least-squares algorithm were used to examine sustainability status and significant characteristics. FINDINGS: The degree of agricultural integration's sustainability from organic fertilizer, corn, and layer hen farming was 86.10 percent. The results showed that techniques in several stages of the organic fertilizer production process, corn cultivation with the application of organic fertilizer, and laying hen farming with local feed, harvesting, and marketing, contributed to sustainable development by considering the strength aspects from each dimension. Based on the analysis results, the social dimension had a sustainable index score of 93.79 percent, followed by economic (90.57 percent), institutional (88.39 percent), environmental (83.45 percent), and technology (74.29 percent). Based on the findings, the factors that should be considered included 1) Efficiency in the utilization of water during egg, 2) fertilizer production and effectiveness of using fuel and electricity during the production and marketing, 3) an Industry manager level of education, 4) the ease by which raw materials can be obtained for the integration industry, 5) potential for increasing the low-input integrated agricultural farming, 6) the availability of integration industry facilities, infrastructure and level of expertise needed by managers in the people's integration sector, 7) Financial institutions' existence. CONCLUSION: Multidimensional mapping showed that the low-input integrated agricultural farming in the dry land of Pangkalan Lada District was running sustainably, with an average sustainability index of 86.10 percent. These results indicated that the integration of organic fertilizer, corn, and layer hen farming in the area had successfully optimized the available resources, created a sustainable farming model, and had the potential for adoption in various locations and future periods. The five evaluated dimensions showed good sustainability levels, with sustainability indices ranging from 74.29 percent (sustainable with a fair level) to 93.79 percent (very sustainable). Therefore, sustainability improvements in these farming activities must focus on technological aspects, with an emphasis on technological attributes that offered valuable insights for the government in formulating policies and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]