The cost of obtaining halal certification is often significant, and this has made its obtainance difficult for many Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). In order to promote the attainment of halal certification, the government has been observed to offer free certification programs for MSEs, with expenses being totally covered by the State Budget (APBN). Based on the results, alternative sources of financing beyond the state budget are necessary, with productive zakat being a plausible option. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the willingness of Muzakki to use productive zakat to finance free halal certification for MSEs and to analyze the factors influencing this willingness. To achieve the stated objectives, scoring and Structural Equation Models, namely Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS), were adopted as the analytical methods. Data were collected via electronic questionnaires administered to 200 respondents who had previously contributed mal zakat, and interviews conducted with representatives from BAZNAS. The obtained results showed that a positive inclination existed among Muzakki to use productive zakat for financing halal certification for MSEs. The observed key factors influencing enthusiasm of Muzakki include external motivation and consistency in zakat contributions. To enhance the role of zakat, the study suggests that zakat institutions should prioritize information dissemination and awareness campaigns through various media channels.

The halal industry is seeing significant growth, driven by heightened consumption and awareness among Muslims, resulting in a rising demand for high-quality products. The halal agri-food sector is a very promising industry that garners significant customer interest regarding the quality and safety of its products. Nevertheless, the halal agri-food sector is presently encountering considerable hurdles in guaranteeing product authenticity and sustainability, especially in combating fraud, overseeing supply sources, and upholding standards across various locations. Furthermore, recent advancements in technologies like blockchain have garnered substantial interest as a solution for urgent challenges, and their integration could markedly improve procedures and yield benefits for the halal agri-food sector. This study sought to examine the existing literature regarding the potential and challenges of blockchain technology in the halal agri-food sector through a qualitative methodology. The results indicated that blockchain enhanced traceability, increased supply chain efficiency, and supported Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12. The findings of this study indicate that blockchain integration enhanced the global halal market by optimizing production processes and bolstering consumer confidence, hence propelling the halal agri-food sector to emerge as one of the most profitable and reputable industries worldwide.

HalBuy-Now is a mobile application designed to address food waste and enhance sustainability in the Indonesian agri-food sector. This application connects consumers with halal-certified restaurants offering surplus food at discounted prices. With the growing global demand for halal products and the persistent issue of food waste, HalBuy-Now provides an innovative solution for redistributing surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. The application also promotes sustainable consumption habits, offers cost-saving opportunities for consumers, and supports local food businesses. Through features such as real-time inventory management and location-based ordering, HalBuy-Now effectively minimizes food waste, reduces carbon emissions, and fosters a circular food economy. Additionally, the application empowers consumers to make well-informed purchasing decisions, contributing to the national goals of sustainability, food security, and the promotion of halal-certified products. By combining technology with sustainable agricultural practices, HalBuy-Now plays a key role in advancing Indonesian efforts to reduce food waste while strengthening its position in the global halal food market.

This study aimed to thoroughly explore the manner in which green marketing can be incorporated alongside halal principles to influence consumer behavior, market dynamics, and brand positioning. Generally, green marketing emphasizes sustainability, transparency, innovation, and consumer engagement, while halal principles ensure compliance with Islamic Sharia standards. The convergence of these methods has been observed to typically address the increasing demand for products that are both environmentally and ethically compliant. For instance, brands such as Kiva and Zalal Foods have successfully adopted effective integration strategies to ensure the production of eco-friendly halal-certified products, which, in return, enhanced brand reputation and consumer trust. During the course of this study, challenges associated with the integration of green marketing and halal principles, including stricter material selection and dual certification processes, were also discussed. The results showed that integrating green marketing and halal principles led to the development of a unique value proposition, allowing brands to meet evolving consumer preferences and positioning each producer as a leader in sustainable and ethical markets. This integration was observed to be particularly essential for expanding market share, fostering brand loyalty, and addressing growing awareness of social and environmental responsibilities among global consumers.