Characteristics of Sustainable Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems Based on Environmental Pillar Assessment Using a Typological Approach

Abstract

This study aims to describe the characteristics of sustainable smallholder dairy farming systems from an environmental perspective using a typological approach. The research was conducted among dairy farmers in Bogor Regency, West Java Province, using primary and secondary data collected between November 2024 and March 2025. A total of 100 farmers were selected as respondents through simple random sampling. Sustainability indicators were developed using the MESMIS framework and assessed on a 0-100 scale. Statistical analysis was performed using principal component analysis, cluster observation, simple correspondence analysis, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results identified four main components of sustainability: livestock assets, waste management, feed carrying capacity, and sanitation and diversification. 35% of the farms were classified as more ecologically sustainable. The most ecologically sustainable dairy farms are those with the following characteristics: (1) they have substantial assets, making them less vulnerable to bankruptcy; (2) livestock waste is processed into manure and biogas systems are available; (3) forage is readily available; (4) barn sanitation and milking equipment are adequate, with total plate counts of microbiological contamination not exceeding 1×10 6 colonies/g. These findings provide a basis for more specific policies and technologies tailored to each farm type according to its ecological characteristics.