Rural Economic Development Strategy in East Lombok Regency: Evaluation of the UPLAND Project

This evaluative-strategic study analyzes the effectiveness and sustainability prospects of the UPLAND Project (Upgrading Economic Development in UPLAND Areas) in transforming the rural economy through the development of garlic commodities in East Lombok Regency. This study was motivated by the gap between normative economic independence targets and the reality of structural challenges, such as market price volatility and low adoption of digital technology. Using a qualitative approach through the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) Evaluation Model, the study focused its analysis on implementation strategies, market reconstruction, productivity, and microfinance models. The evaluation results show that physically, the project achieved its expansion targets through the expansion of 811 hectares of planting area and the involvement of 90 farmer groups in the central (Sembalun) and buffer (Suela, Wanasaba) areas.