Ninety-seven scientific papers provide the evidence base for the first systematic literature review of how agroecological practices have been evaluated across Southeast Asia. Published in 2025, the review examines whether existing research captures the multiple environmental, economic and social dimensions of agroecology. More than one-third of the studies reviewed were conducted in Indonesia, while agroforestry accounted for half of the papers. Comparative land-use studies and field experiments each represented about one-third of the research, whereas quasi-experimental evaluations accounted for only 5 percent.

Income was assessed in half of the studies, followed by biodiversity and yield, while socio-cultural dimensions received considerably less attention. Overall, the reviewed literature reported positive impacts associated particularly with biodiversity, input efficiency and soil health. Studies of integrated crop–livestock systems covered a broader range of outcomes, including diets and social values. However, the review identifies important methodological limitations, notably the predominance of plot-level analysis, limited integration among evaluation approaches and insufficient consideration of social and cultural dimensions.

The authors emphasize the need for more holistic evaluation frameworks and for a definition of agroecology grounded in Southeast Asian farming systems. The findings provide a basis for strengthening how agroecological transitions are characterized and assessed, helping researchers and decision-makers consider impacts beyond conventional agronomic and economic performance indicators.