•Tree-based farming systems (such as coffee and rubber) managed by farmers in Pagar Alam, should be maintained and supported because they are suitable for hilly and upland areas. •The area of coffee land use in Pagar Alam has remained relatively stable over the last 13 years, owing to the communities’ reliance on this commodity as their primary source of income and the growing market for high-quality coffee. This is in line with farmers’ preference to implement better coffee agroforestry pattern that includes additional fruit commodities that can be sold (commercially) to increase their family income. •Vegetable farming system is a land use system that will continue to grow in the future because of its high economic potentials and low land requirements. However, the implementation of this system in Pagar Alam uplands should consider sustainable agricultural management and soil conservation techniques in the land slope. •Understanding land use change dynamics, farmers’ preferences, and vision for expected farming systems to manage, and large-scale agricultural investment potentials in the city can help policymakers in formulating on-target agricultural policies. This also allows for the implementation of prevention activities in Pagar Alam production landscape to mitigate environmental impacts | 
