South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics

Bebesen District (Central Aceh Regency) has strong potential in horticulture and Gayo Arabica coffee, yet development is constrained by fluctuating productivity, technological gaps, and unstable market access. This study identifies leading commodities, classifies Bebesen’s sectoral position, and formulates actionable development pathways grounded in local economic strengths. A convergent mixed-methods design integrates quantitative diagnostics—Location Quotient (LQ), Klassen Typology, and quantitative SWOT—using 2019–2023 statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics, with qualitative evidence from semi-structured interviews and a focused group discussion with farmers, traders, cooperatives, and local agencies. Results show five horticultural commodities—potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, spring onions, and shallots—have LQ>1, confirming base-sector status, while Gayo Arabica coffee exhibits declining productivity and is currently non-base. Klassen Typology places Bebesen in Quadrant I (advanced and fast-growing). Qualitative findings illuminate input bottlenecks, post-harvest losses, price-transmission frictions, and certification/market-linkage gaps that condition feasibility. Synthesizing both strands, the preferred strategy is an aggressive (SO) path emphasizing downstream integration for horticulture (storage, grading, processing), digital transformation of marketing, targeted revitalization of Gayo coffee, and selective agrotourism models. The integrated framework enhances value chains, strengthens regional branding, and positions Bebesen as a resilient, competitive commodity-based growth hub at regional and national scales.