The valorization of tropical fruits through fermentation represents a sustainable approach to producing functional beverages while reducing post-harvest losses. This study investigated the effects of fermentation temperature and vacuum evaporation on the physicochemical properties, colour characteristics, and bioactive compounds of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)–pineapple (Ananas comosus [L.] Merr.) wine. Fermentation was conducted at room temperature and under cold conditions (10 °C), followed by vacuum evaporation at 45 °C for 1 h. Parameters analysed included pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, alcohol content, colour indices (L*, a*, b*, chroma, ΔE), total phenolics, tannins, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity (DPPH). Cold fermentation significantly enhanced the retention of bioactive compounds, resulting in higher anthocyanin levels (≈103–111 mg L⁻¹), total phenolics (124–157 ppm), and antioxidant activity compared to room-temperature fermentation. Vacuum evaporation reduced alcohol content to 7–8% (v/v) while concentrating non-volatile compounds, thereby increasing phenolic and tannin contents. Notably, anthocyanins and vitamin C were well preserved in cold-fermented wines after vacuum evaporation, indicating minimal thermal degradation under reduced pressure conditions. Colour analysis demonstrated that the combined application of cold fermentation and vacuum evaporation produced wines with higher lightness and chroma, reflecting improved pigment stability and visual quality. In contrast, room-temperature fermentation led to lower pigment retention and less vibrant colour profiles. Overall, the integration of cold fermentation and controlled vacuum evaporation is an effective strategy for producing high-quality tropical fruit wine with enhanced functional properties and colour stability, supporting its potential for premium product development.
This study challenges the conventional export-led growth paradigm in agriculture by examining the distinct roles of agricultural exports and agricultural growth in driving economic development across 11 Southeast Asian countries from 2000 to 2022. Grounded in endogenous growth theory, we employ a two-way fixed effects panel framework that simultaneously controls for country- and time-specific heterogeneity, with agricultural land, labour, government effectiveness, financial development, and communication infrastructure as covariates. Our analysis yields three findings that contradict prevailing policy narratives. First, agricultural exports generate positive but quantitatively modest effects on agricultural growth, with agricultural land and government effectiveness emerging as substantially stronger sectoral drivers. Second, agricultural growth exerts a robust multiplier effect on overall GDP growth, whereas the direct effect of agricultural exports on aggregate growth is statistically insignificant once heterogeneity is controlled for. Third, no meaningful synergistic interaction exists between agricultural exports and agricultural growth, indicating that these factors operate as separate rather than complementary channels. Instrumental variable estimates and comprehensive robustness checks including outlier sensitivity, sub-period analysis, and endogeneity diagnostics confirm these patterns. The findings suggest that agriculture-led strategies prioritizing productivity improvements, land efficiency, and institutional quality generate stronger development outcomes than quantity-focused export expansion. For Southeast Asian policymakers, this implies that the ASEAN Action Plan for Sustainable Agriculture and national initiatives such as productivity-centric agrofood policies provide more effective pathways to sustained growth than traditional export-promotion strategies.
The pili industry is currently kernel-centric, generating large amounts of pulp waste. This is primarily due to the strong adherence of the pulp mesocarp to the exocarp, which necessitates for manual separation of the pulp by-products, making it a highly labor-intensive process. To address this problem, this study evaluated the operating characteristics of a novel integrated pili de-pulper and pulp exocarp-mesocarp separator, aiming to reduce agricultural loss and valorize the wasted by-products for food, feed, and industrial uses. The developed system utilizes counter rotating differential speed rubber rollers generating frictional shear for non-destructive de-pulping with zero nut damage, followed by a pressing and screening mechanism for immediate mesocarp and exocarp separation. Performance was assessed using a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design, testing three steeping durations (10, 15, and 20 minutes) and two operational motor frequencies (30 Hz and 60 Hz) at three replicates. The analysis revealed that while roller speed was the primary driver of machine performance, extended steeping durations effectively softened the mesocarp fibers adhering to the exocarp (p<0.05). Peak operations were observed at 20 minutes steeping time combined with the 60 Hz frequency. At recommended setting, the prototype achieved a output recovery of 75.45%, a separation efficiency of 81.39%, and a capacity of 12.73 kg/h, representing a significant throughput increase over the prevailing commercial manual processing baseline of 2 kg/h. This mechanized post-harvest solution significantly reduces food loss and transforms pili waste into valuable feedstock for potential innovative and sustainable use, directly contributing to green economy and sustainable agricultural development.
Climate change, driven by increasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, has complex and context-specific implications for agricultural productivity, particularly in developing regions such as Southeast Asia. This study analyzes the relationship between CO₂ emissions and agricultural production across 11 ASEAN countries over the period 2000–2022, while controlling for key production and institutional factors, including agricultural capital, labor, land, energy use, freshwater withdrawals, fertilizer consumption, domestic credit, and government effectiveness. Using panel data econometric techniques, the analysis employs a fixed-effects model (FE-OLS) alongside the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel Granger causality test to account for both cross-sectional heterogeneity and dynamic interactions. The results indicate that a 1% increase in CO₂ emissions is associated with a 0.0596% increase in agricultural output, suggesting a potential carbon fertilization effect under current conditions. The findings reveal a statistically significant long-run relationship, with causal linkages running from CO₂ emissions, agricultural capital, energy use, and government effectiveness to agricultural production. These results highlight the importance of considering regional heterogeneity in climate–agriculture interactions and suggest that the effects of CO₂ emissions on agricultural productivity may differ from the predominantly negative patterns reported in global studies. Overall, the study contributes to the literature by providing region-specific empirical evidence for ASEAN economies and offers policy-relevant insights for balancing emission mitigation with strategies aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience and food security.
Agricultural supply chains increasingly face demands for transparency, traceability, and sustainability in export markets. In this context, digital transformation has become an important mechanism for improving supply chain management effectiveness. This study examines the impact of digital transformation on the effectiveness of agricultural supply chain management toward sustainable exports in Vietnam. A quantitative approach was employed using survey data collected from 367 participants involved in agricultural supply chain activities, of which 350 valid responses were retained for analysis. Cronbach’s alpha, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multiple regression analysis were applied to evaluate the measurement scales and test the proposed relationships. The results reveal that digital transformation significantly contributes to improving agricultural supply chain management effectiveness. In particular, digital technology adoption, data connectivity and information sharing, and digital managerial capability exhibit positive and statistically significant effects. By contrast, digital traceability and logistics show a significant negative association, suggesting the existence of implementation challenges, infrastructure constraints, and coordination issues within the current context rather than an inherent limitation of digital technologies. Institutional and policy support does not demonstrate a significant direct effect. The findings provide empirical evidence on the multidimensional effects of digital transformation in agricultural supply chains and offer practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to enhance sustainable export performance through digitalization.
Cassava is an important agricultural commodity widely used in both food and non-food industries, with starch content serving as a key indicator of product quality and economic value. However, conventional methods for determining cassava starch content are generally laboratory-based and involve manual procedures, which limit their efficiency and suitability for direct in-field assessment. This study aimed to develop a portable, automated, and real-time cassava starch measurement system using an Arduino Uno microcontroller integrated with a load cell sensor and an HX711 signal-conditioning module. The research methodology comprised system design, calibration, validation, and performance evaluation in terms of accuracy, precision, measurement stability, and energy consumption. The calibration and validation results yielded a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.999, indicating a strong agreement between the sensor measurements and the reference values. The system achieved a mean measurement accuracy of 99.86%, corresponding to an error rate of 0.14%. The precision test produced a value of 87.17%, which was higher than that obtained using the reference industrial instrument. Stability testing revealed a measurement deviation of less than 0.30%, confirming the consistent operation of the system under different measurement conditions. The device also exhibited low energy consumption, with an estimated operating cost of approximately USD 1.615 × 10⁻⁶ per measurement cycle. Overall, the proposed system demonstrated high accuracy, satisfactory precision, and stable operation, indicating its potential for rapid in-field cassava starch assessment. Its integration of sensing and microcontroller-based automation may support more efficient monitoring, reduce manual intervention, and contribute to the implementation of smart farming technologies.
Air quality in commercial laying-hen production systems has traditionally been assessed based on emissions of ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrogen sulfide. However, information on formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations remains limited despite its recognized adverse effects on human health and indoor air quality. This study investigated HCHO concentrations in commercial laying-hen houses and evaluated the effects of climatic conditions, dietary practices, management factors, and housing characteristics. A field survey was conducted in 120 commercial laying-hen houses. Formaldehyde concentrations were measured using a Type 5B1 air quality detector, while climatic variables, feeding practices, manure management parameters, and housing characteristics were recorded simultaneously. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between the explanatory variables and HCHO concentrations. The mean HCHO concentration was below the referenced exposure limit, indicating acceptable formaldehyde-related air quality under the investigated conditions. The overall regression model was statistically significant (F = 2.046, p = 0.031), although its explanatory power was relatively low (R² = 0.171), suggesting that additional unmeasured factors contributed to the observed variability in HCHO concentrations. Among the investigated variables, wind velocity was the only statistically significant individual predictor and was negatively associated with HCHO concentration. This finding indicates that increased airflow may improve ventilation and air exchange, enhance pollutant dilution, and reduce localized formaldehyde accumulation. In contrast, relative humidity, dietary protein content, stocking density, manure retention time, and floor height did not have statistically significant individual effects. Overall, formaldehyde concentrations in the investigated laying-hen houses were below the referenced exposure limit, while wind velocity was identified as the principal environmental factor associated with indoor HCHO levels. These findings emphasize the importance of effective ventilation in maintaining poultry-house air quality. Future studies should incorporate additional variables, including actual ventilation rates, manure physicochemical properties, volatile organic compound precursors, disinfectant use, and emissions from building materials, to improve the predictive performance of models for HCHO concentrations in laying-hen houses.
The development of polarized pollen tubes, which transport sperm nuclei to egg cells through female tissues, is a defining process in plant sexual reproduction. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms regulating pollen tube growth remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the regulatory roles of cell wall invertase (CWIN) and sucrose synthase (SUS) in tomato pollen tube development and examined how heat stress affects these pathways. Biochemical analyses were conducted to quantify CWIN and SUS activities in pollen tubes, using transgenic tomato lines with suppressed expression of either CWIN inhibitors or CWIN itself. Suppression of the CWIN inhibitor significantly enhanced both CWIN and SUS activities, leading to increased sucrose hydrolysis and accelerated pollen tube growth. In contrast, direct inhibition of CWIN reduced enzyme activities, limited sucrose hydrolysis, and impaired pollen tube development. Heat stress further decreased CWIN and SUS activities, resulting in slower pollen tube elongation. These results demonstrate that CWIN plays a central regulatory role in coordinating CWIN–SUS activity by controlling the supply of hydrolyzed sugars required for pollen tube growth. Overall, this study provides new mechanistic insight into carbohydrate metabolism during pollen tube development and highlights potential targets for improving reproductive performance in crops under heat stress conditions. Keywords: cell wall invertase; sucrose synthase; pollen tube; sucrose metabolism; heat stress.
Smallholder coffee plantations on the southern slopes of Mount Kawi, East Java, face challenges from heterogeneous terrain and limited access to reliable productivity data. This study proposes a remote sensing-based approach to estimate Robusta coffee productivity by integrating mesolandform classification, land-use mapping using Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (MESMA), and vegetation indices (NDVI, NDMI). The novelty lies in combining physiographic terrain analysis with sub-pixel spectral unmixing—an approach not previously applied to smallholder coffee systems. Conducted over 14,590 ha between July 2023 and May 2025, the study used stratified random sampling across eight mesolandform types. MESMA classification achieved 85.75% accuracy (Kappa = 0.81). NDVI showed a stronger correlation with yield (r = 0.78) than NDMI (r = 0.74), and the regression model (Ŷ= 13.01 × NDVI + 8.75 × NDMI − 5.18, R² = 0.64) demonstrated predictive strength. Yield varied significantly by mesolandform, from 8.45 t/ha in Open Slopes to 2.83 t/ha in Canyons. These findings highlight the importance of terrain-specific management and demonstrate a validated, low-cost method for yield estimation using freely available satellite data. The approach supports precision agriculture by enabling targeted interventions, improving land-use efficiency, and enhancing climate resilience in data-scarce smallholder landscapes. Keywords: coffee yield estimation; remote sensing; MESMA classification; mesolandform; spectral transformation.
Kaempferia galanga L. (kencur) is a high-value medicinal plant widely valued for its bioactive compound, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), yet on-farm productivity remains limited. This study assessed the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) through the integration of organic fertilizers, reduced inorganic fertilizers, and plant growth regulators (PGRs; NAA and BA) to enhance rhizome yield, bioactive quality, and soil fertility. A randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications was conducted, combining varying doses of NPK fertilizer, cow manure, and PGRs. The treatment combining 300 kg NPK + 10 t ha⁻¹ cow manure + NAA + BA (P4) produced the highest rhizome yield (37.75 t ha⁻¹) with a Relative Agronomic Efficiency of 131.88%. This treatment also achieved the highest simplisia content (21.89%) and EPMC concentration (3.94%), while improving post-harvest soil nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The integration of organic fertilizers with PGRs enhanced nutrient uptake, optimized photosynthate allocation, and stimulated secondary metabolite accumulation. The results demonstrate that inorganic fertilizer inputs can be reduced by up to 50% without compromising yield, simultaneously improving phytochemical quality and supporting soil sustainability. Overall, the synergistic application of organic and inorganic fertilizers with PGRs provides a practical GAP-based strategy for sustainable cultivation, increasing rhizome productivity, enhancing bioactive compound accumulation, and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices. These findings offer actionable guidance for improving the competitiveness of Indonesian herbal products in international markets. Keywords: ethyl p-methoxycinnamate; GAP; Kaempferia galanga L.; plant growth regulators; sustainable agriculture.
Tongka langit banana (Musa troglodytarum) is a native banana cultivar known for its high carotenoid content, particularly β-carotene, making it a promising functional food resource. Reliable assessment of ripening and shelf life is essential for preserving its nutritional value and optimizing postharvest utilization. This study evaluated postharvest physiological changes in Tongka langit bananas harvested at different maturity stages by examining the dynamics of starch content, total sugar content, and peel mechanical properties during storage. Fruits were harvested at 67 and 74 days after flowering (DAF) and stored for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days. Starch content, total sugar content, and peel hardness and elasticity were measured, and the data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test. The results showed that starch content declined markedly after six days of storage, accompanied by a corresponding increase in total sugar content. Bananas harvested at 74 DAF reached maximum sugar levels more rapidly than those harvested at 67 DAF. With prolonged storage up to ten days, starch content continued to decrease, while total sugar content initially increased and subsequently declined. Peel hardness and elasticity decreased progressively throughout storage. These findings provide new insight into the biochemical and physical ripening behavior of Tongka langit bananas and offer practical indicators for determining optimal harvest timing and postharvest handling strategies. Keywords: Tongka langit banana; harvesting time; ripening; starch and sugar content; peel properties.
This research was conducted to determine the active compounds in the ethanol extract and essential oil of ginger and to evaluate their roles in reducing whitefly infestation on squash in the field. Chemical analysis revealed that the most prominent peaks in the chromatogram were at 18.528 min (accounting for 60.13% of the total peak area) and at 20.360 min (accounting for 16.13%). A seasonal abundance study of the whitefly showed that immature stages (eggs and nymphs) were present throughout the growing season. There were three distinct population peaks for eggs and nymphs during May and June, with the highest density recorded in mid-May—reaching 70 eggs per leaf and 84.7 nymphs per leaf. Field evaluations demonstrated that the ginger extracts significantly reduced both nymph and egg densities, with the essential oil outperforming the ethanol extract. This effect increased with concentration: at 3 %, the highest relative efficacy against eggs was 88.7 % for the ethanol extract and 90.9 % for the essential oil three days after treatment, while the highest relative efficacy against nymphs was 59.0 % and 88.8 %, respectively. These findings suggest the efficacy of ginger extracts in controlling and reducing whitefly population density in the field.
An experiment was conducted on Trogoderma granarium larvae using extracts of L. nobilis and L. officinalis plants and the effect of both at concentrations of 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/100 ml,, and at exposure periods of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days, respectively., the research aimed to determine optimal insecticidal doses and compare extracts and powders of two substances for optimal effects and timing. The results showed that the extract of L. officinalis plant was better than the extract of L. nobilis, as the mortality rates reached 76.66 and 63.33 mortality rates, with mortality rates reaching 100%. The results of using powders of the leaves of L. nobilis and L. officinalis on the insect larvae showed results of 39.99 and 53.33%, respectively, during the exposure period of 60 days at a concentration of 12%. As for its effect on the percentage of mortality in adult insects, it was at higher rates during the exposure period of 12 days and the concentration of 12% grams/100 Trogoderma granarium ml, with mortality rates reaching 30.0% and 39.99%, respectively. When studying the effect of plant extracts and powders at a concentration of 12% g/100 ml and 12 g/kg for each of the two plants, respectively, L. nobilis and L. officinalis, the statistical differences were significant for the effect of all treatments compared to the control treatment in the number of eggs laid by one female, hatching rates, duration of the larval stage, and the sex ratio of emerging females, as it was positively affected, reducing the damage of the insect compared to the control treatment, and the sex ratio of emerging females reached 33.0, 41.33, 26.99, and 33.66%, respectively, compared to 48.33% in the control treatment.
The purpose of this study is to assess how international remittances shape the subjective well-being of rural households in Indonesia, with an emphasis on the paired indicators of happiness and life satisfaction. This study describes a new empirical approach based on the conditional mixed process (CMP) framework, enabling the simultaneous modelling of a household’s probability of receiving remittances and the resulting well-being outcomes, while explicitly correcting for endogeneity and selection bias. Using household-level survey data from 600 rural families in East Java, Central Java, and West Sumatra, the authors demonstrate that remittances raise subjective well-being. Remittance-receiving households report, on average, a 0.42-point higher happiness score and a 0.37-point higher life-satisfaction score on a five-point scale (≈ 10–12 % relative gains). As an example, we illustrate the proposed technique by estimating heterogeneous effects across income tertiles; the happiness premium is concentrated among low- and middle-income groups, whereas life satisfaction gains accrue across all income strata. Our method allows researchers and practitioners to improve impact-estimation accuracy by simultaneously modelling receipt and outcome equations, reducing bias in marginal effect estimates by up to 20 % compared with single-equation logit or OLS specifications. The effectiveness of the evaluation procedure is confirmed by robustness calculations, including alternative instrument sets and placebo tests, all of which determine the direction and significance of the core remittance effects. These research results develop the literature on the non-monetary consequences of migration transfers, supplement welfare economics studies of rural Indonesia, and can be used by policymakers to design targeted financial-inclusion programs, gender-sensitive social protection, and productive investment schemes that magnify welfare returns from remittances. This study is novel because it applies a CMP strategy to the study of subjective well-being in a developing-country context, jointly identifies the determinants and impacts of remittances within a unified econometric architecture, and provides fine-grained distributional evidence that previous single-equation studies could not reveal.
Competitiveness of MSMEs in the agro-industrial sector is crucial for business sustainability, particularly under global competition. This study evaluates the technical efficiency of agro-industrial MSMEs producing yellow tofu in East Java Province, Indonesia, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Critical Factor Index (CFI). DEA assesses both technical and scale efficiency, while CFI identifies the critical factors that influence business performance. The findings reveal that average technical efficiency remains below optimal levels, with most firms exhibiting increasing returns to scale (IRS). CFI analysis reveals the gap between customer expectations and actual MSME operations, indicating the need for improved production efficiency and innovation. Integrating DEA and CFI offers a comprehensive view of the factors affecting MSME efficiency, and yields strategic recommendations. Specifically, MSMEs with high CFI scores but low DEA efficiency should optimize resource management, whereas those with high DEA efficiency but low CFI scores should enhance marketing and branding. This combined approach enables data-driven identification of inefficiencies and competitive gaps. The results provide valuable insights for MSME stakeholders, policymakers, and industry practitioners in designing strategies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. Strengthening operational efficiency and aligning business strategies with market expectations are key to improving long-term resilience in the sector.
The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum is a major stored-product pest affecting food security and postharvest quality. Plant-derived repellents offer a lower-risk alternative to synthetic chemicals, particularly when grounded in locally available resources and traditional knowledge (e.g., Dayak uses of Shorea macrophylla). We evaluated the behavioral repellency of an n-hexane fraction of S. macrophylla bark extract against adult T. castaneum using a Y-tube olfactometer. Six concentrations (0–100%; 100% defined as 0.150 mL extract) were tested. Insect choices were recorded at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 min. Treatment effects were compared using Duncan’s test. Repellency became statistically significant from 180 through 360 min (p < 0.05) and increased with both concentration and exposure duration, indicating a clear dose– and time-dependent response. The strongest avoidance behavior was observed at the highest concentration and the longest exposure intervals. The n-hexane fraction of S. macrophylla bark exhibits behaviorally mediated repellency to T. castaneum under laboratory conditions, consistent with activity from volatile secondary metabolites (e.g., terpenoids and aromatic compounds). These findings support the potential of S. macrophylla as a locally sourced botanical repellent for stored-product protection. Further studies should (i) characterize active constituents (e.g., GC–MS), (ii) test additional storage pests and commodities, (iii) evaluate residual efficacy and formulation stability, and (iv) assess safety and practicality for field application.
This study evaluates the potential of the invasive weed Portulaca oleracea (purslane) as a green, functional protein source for herbivorous aquaculture species within a pro-ecological and circular bioeconomy framework. Proximate and antioxidant profiling revealed 22.3% crude protein, 3.8% lipid, and substantial levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as high concentrations of phenolics (85.6 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (42.1 mg CE/g), and vitamin C (28.4 mg AA/g). Isonitrogenous diets with 10%, 15%, and 20% P. oleracea inclusion were fed to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) for 8 weeks. The 15% inclusion level consistently showed optimal outcomes, improving the feed conversion ratio (FCR: 1.38–1.43), specific growth rate (SGR: 2.15–2.25%/day), and protein retention (33.2–35.6%) across species. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) confirmed strong radical scavenging activity, indicating enhanced oxidative stress resistance and potential health benefits for fish. This is the first comprehensive study to systematically assess the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of P. oleracea alongside its practical application in aquaculture diets. The findings offer a dual ecological innovation by reducing the dependency on conventional feed ingredients and contributing to the management of an invasive plant species. Importantly, the use of P. oleracea in aquafeeds contributes to the ecological management of this invasive species. By creating a market-driven utilization pathway, its cultivation and harvesting can reduce its uncontrolled spread in sensitive ecosystems, thereby promoting biodiversity conservation. The integration of purslane into aquafeeds not only supports sustainable fish production and low-input agriculture but also offers a nature-based solution to invasive species control. This fact positions P. oleracea as a strategic component in the development of eco-labeled, green-certified aquafeeds aligned with global sustainability goals. Keywords: aquafeed innovation; ecological impact; feed conversion ratio; functional ingredient; green technology; herbivorous aquaculture; invasive species control.
In line with the growing global halal industry, halal awareness among business leaders is one of the most critical factors in the food and beverage product halal supply chain. Cross-border trade between Indonesia and Malaysia creates dynamics, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that lack halal-related standards for their products. This study explores the most critical factors in halal awareness among business actors regarding implementing the halal food system. The study employed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with 234 processed food MSME respondents with halal certification in Tarakan City, North Kalimantan Province. The study's results revealed two main factors critical to halal awareness among business actors regarding implementing the halal food system: Factor 1 (commitment and general knowledge) and Factor 2 (halal implementation awareness). These factors support business development and strengthen MSMEs' commitment to Sharia compliance, legal standards, business ethics, and product quality. This helps build competitive and sustainable businesses based on halal food in the cross-border trade area between Indonesia and Malaysia. Keywords: the awareness of halal, halal food products, halal business actors, Exploratory Factor Analysis.
Indonesia requires all plantation companies and smallholders to obtain Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification by 2025, making an evidence-based assessment of smallholders’ readiness a policy priority. We conducted a descriptive, quantitative study of independent smallholders in Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra, using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. The instrument directly operationalized the indicators codified in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 38/2020, enabling criterion-aligned measurement of ISPO preparedness. Reliability testing indicated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.996). The overall attainment of ISPO standards among independent smallholders was 71.53%, suggesting fairly sustainable management practices and partial readiness for certification, while underscoring the need for continued capacity building to meet all mandatory criteria. By translating the 2020 regulation’s indicator set into a practical survey tool, this study provides a replicable approach for monitoring compliance and targeting extension, financing, and governance support for independent smallholders. The findings offer actionable evidence for provincial and national stakeholders to accelerate ISPO implementation and strengthen the sustainability performance of Indonesia’s oil palm sector.
This study reports the development of an electrochemical biosensor that utilizes bioactive compounds extracted from Areca catechu L. to enable sustainable environmental monitoring. The primary objective was to establish a green, cost-effective sensing platform by leveraging naturally occurring alkaloids and tannins that enhance electron transfer and analyte binding. Fabrication involved solvent-based extraction followed by drop-casting the extract onto screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Electrochemical characterization via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed high sensitivity (R² > 0.99) and a stable signal intensity distribution (mean = 218.325), indicating reliable performance across analyte concentrations. Regression modeling using exponential, Gaussian, and error functions validated reproducibility and precision. The resulting biosensor offers a practical, biodegradable alternative for detecting heavy metals and organic pollutants, contributing to environmentally responsible diagnostics aligned with the global sustainability goals. Keywords: fabrication opportunity, electrochemical biosensor, relative sensitivity, areca nuts, ecological sustainability.
