Concept and Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Development in the Circle of Poverty and Food Insecurity in Indonesia

Debates over Indonesia’s poverty statistics, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and international institutions such as the World Bank and WHO, have gained considerable attention, particularly concerning their validity and sensitivity to social realities. As of March 2024, BPS reported 25.90 million poor people (approximately 9.36% of the total population), while the World Bank estimated a higher number when applying the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. At the same time, food insecurity has become increasingly alarming: about 23.3 million people suffer from malnutrition due to inadequate food intake, and at least 12.5 million experience moderate to severe food insecurity, including extreme cases such as going a full day without eating. These conditions are interlinked, forming a persistent vicious cycle of poverty and food insecurity, particularly in rural areas dependent on agriculture. Within this context, sustainable agricultural development emerges as a strategic and promising approach; however, its implementation in Indonesia remains suboptimal. This study examines the concept and implementation of sustainable agricultural development using a descriptive-qualitative approach through literature review and secondary data analysis. The analysis focuses on smallholders’ limited access to land, technology, and finance, alongside the aggravating impacts of climate change. Findings reveal that policy implementation remains fragmented and insufficiently supportive of small-scale farmers, the backbone of national food security. Therefore, a more integrated approach involving agrarian reform, environmentally friendly technological innovation, and farmer institutional strengthening is essential to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity sustainably.