Multidimensional Sustainability Assessment of Marica Goat Farming in Contrasting Agroecological Zones of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The Marica goat, a local breed in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is highly adaptable to arid environments but faces a continuous population decline. This study assessed the sustainability of Marica goat farming in Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research focusing on two agroecological zones: the mountainous Kelara District and the coastal Tamalatea District. A rapid appraisal approach was employed, integrating Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) to evaluate sustainability across ecological, economic, and social dimensions, followed by sensitivity analysis to identify key influencing attributes. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and interviews with 23 Marica goat farmers. The findings revealed a "less sustainable" status, with an overall sustainability index of 48.72%. Among the three assessed dimensions, the social dimension scored highest (55.17%), followed by ecological (49.25%) and economic (41.73%) dimensions lagged behind, highlighting critical areas requiring targeted intervention. Key areas for improvement include expanding forage land (economic), enhancing farmer participation in organizations (social), and increasing the frequency of goat shed cleaning (ecological).