ekstensif

Ekstensif is an adjective used to describe approaches, methods, or phenomena characterized by a wide scope, broad coverage, or expansion over a large area, rather than depth or densification. The term is found in several languages, including Indonesian and Malay, where it is commonly used to express expansion in scale or extent. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin extensus, meaning stretched out or extended.

In economics and development, ekstensif growth refers to increases in total output achieved primarily by expanding inputs such as land, labor, or capital, rather than by raising the productivity of existing inputs. This contrasts with intensive growth, which relies on higher efficiency, innovation, or technological improvements to produce more with the same resources. Ekstensif growth is often associated with resource availability, land expansion, or population-driven increases in labor, and its sustainability depends on environmental and social factors.

In agriculture, ekstensif farming describes systems that require relatively low input per unit of land and cover large areas. Production is expanded mainly by acquiring more land or labor rather than by increasing inputs like fertilizer, water, or advanced equipment per hectare. While land-intensive, such systems can be viable in regions with abundant land and favorable conditions, though they may yield lower productivity per hectare compared with intensive farming.

In land use and ecology, ekstensif practices denote widespread, low-density resource use across a broad area, sometimes emphasizing biodiversity, landscape value, or long-term stability over high per-area output. The term is also used more broadly to denote expansive policies or research approaches as opposed to concentrated, intensive strategies.