Development of Sustainable Attributes in Cayenne Pepper Agribusiness Using Multidimensional Scaling Techniques

Cayenne pepper is an important horticultural crop in Ponorogo Regency based on its large contribution in increasing the Gross Regional Domestic Product. The harvested area of cayenne pepper in Ponorogo Regency fluctuates, mainly due to harvesting activities that are not simultaneous and the occurrence of flooding in several areas which has eroded the harvested area. These things eventually lead to price fluctuations. The purpose of this research was to determine the sustainability status of cayenne pepper agribusiness and to formulate policies for the development of cayenne pepper commodities. This study uses the Multidimensional Scaling method based on an assessment of 5 dimensions, namely ecological, economic, social, technological and institutional dimensions. The results showed that the cayenne pepper agribusiness in Ponorogo Regency was categorized as "quite sustainable" with a sustainability index value of 56.08. This shows that the cayenne pepper commodity has the potential to be developed in the future. The sustainability status of the ecological, technological, and institutional dimensions is in the “quite sustainable” category, while the economic and social dimensions are in the “less sustainable” category. The development of cayenne pepper agribusiness in Ponorogo Regency can be achieved through increasing the performance of sensitive attributes in each dimension.