Data Sheet 1_Mapping cocoa land dynamics to advance circular and sustainable food Systems in Indonesia (1975–2023).pdf

This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of cocoa cultivation areas across 25 Indonesian provinces from 1975 to 2023 using a Random Forest Clustering approach and t-SNE visualization. The analysis identifies five distinct regional clusters that reveal long-term disparities in cocoa development—ranging from areas of consistent decline and stagnation to regions experiencing rapid growth or sharp contraction. These clusters reflect varying local challenges and opportunities linked to land-use change, policy shifts, and environmental conditions. Beyond mapping agricultural trends, the study underscores the importance of managing land-use instability as a form of systemic food loss and highlights opportunities for circular interventions—such as transforming cocoa by-products into organic fertilizer, animal feed, and bioenergy. The resulting cluster-based typology provides a data-driven foundation for region-specific policies aimed at improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and advancing national food security within a circular and sustainable food systems framework.