Rethinking maize development: linking production efficiency, value chains, and regional competitiveness

Purpose: to synthesize existing empirical evidence on maize production efficiency, supply chain performance, value addition, and institutional arrangements in Gorontalo province, Indonesia. Method: an integrative literature synthesis approach was used to review and analyze 20 selected journal articles on maize agribusiness in Gorontalo province and other regions of Indonesia. The literature was analyzed thematically across four dimensions: production efficiency, marketing and supply chain performance, value addition, and institutional capacity and regional competitiveness. Findings: substantial variations in maize production efficiency across farming systems, alongside differences in marketing channel performance, supply chain coordination, and value distribution. Institutional factors, particularly farmer organizations, agricultural extension, and access to credit, play important roles in connecting production activities with downstream market opportunities. The synthesis highlights that regional maize competitiveness depends on integrating production efficiency, postharvest management, supply chain performance, and value addition, not production volume alone. Implications: the findings emphasize the importance of integrated agribusiness strategies to improve farmers' income, value creation, and regional maize competitiveness. Originality: this study offers an integrated agro-economic framework linking production efficiency, supply chain performance, value creation, and regional competitiveness in Gorontalo's maize agribusiness.