Rapid Appraisal for Agricultural Land Utilization in the erosion and landslide vulnerable mountainous areas of Kulonprogo Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the land utilization in the erosion and landslide vulnerable mountainous region using the Rapid Appraisal for Agricultural Land Utilization (RApALU) model.

Design/methodology/approach

A multidimensional RApALU model is used for sustainable agriculture land utilization.

Findings

Ecological dimension was less sustainable, whereas socio-economic, socio-cultural, and eco-technological dimensions were comparatively more sustainable. It was found from the analysis that 9 out of 21 attributes have sensitive effect on the sustainability index and status.

Practical implications

One of the implications of this research is that this model could be used to quickly measure the arrangement of an area that is experiencing environmental problems so that the land use planning process could be done more effectively and efficiently. The parameters used in each variable could be chosen by the researchers themselves according to location. As far as known by the researcher, the methods used have not been well integrated, they are still separated, for example, only physical problems, and social problems have not been measured properly. This model is not perfect yet, and it could be developed further because environmental problems are very complex and could be different from one location to another.

Originality/value

RApALU analysis can be used as preliminary analysis to comprehend general and overall description on the status of the sustainability index of land utilization for agriculture in hilly mountainous regions. The study confirmed that RApALU analysis can help determine the status of the sustainability of land utilization in intricate areas. This technique was able to comprehensively identify important factors affecting sustainability status of various dimensions.

Citation

Juhadi, J., Banowati, E., Sanjoto, T.B. and Nugraha, S.B. (2020), "Rapid Appraisal for Agricultural Land Utilization in the erosion and landslide vulnerable mountainous areas of Kulonprogo Regency, Indonesia", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-01-2019-0023