Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.8
4.5
Journals
Agriculture
Special Issues
Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development
share announcement

Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2026) | Viewed by 13033

Editor

Dr. Lei Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Ecology & Environment, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: multi-risk assessment for agri-environmental systems; governance of sustainable agricultural transitions; rural ecosystem services valuation; socio-economic impact of climate risk management; agri-environmental risk communication; development and adoption of risk mitigation technologies; roles of digital platforms and AI; risk management and agricultural finance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As global food demands and environmental/climate change pressures mount, rural areas face unprecedented challenges in maintaining sustainable development. This Special Issue, titled "Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development", invites innovative research work addressing the complex interplay between agricultural practices, the market, and environmental/climate risks in varied social, cultural, and political contexts, focusing on multi-risk assessment methodologies and management strategies.

This Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of sustainable rural development and provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners. An integrated ('nexus') approach is expected to contribute to greater resource use efficiency, climate adaptation, livelihood improvement, and policy coherence. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, policymakers, farmers, and practitioners, this Special Issue seeks to contribute valuable insights and solutions for the sustainable development of rural communities worldwide.

We welcome original research articles, review papers, and case studies on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Novel multi-risk assessment models and methods for agri-environmental systems and their applications in decision making;
  • Climate change impacts on rural landscapes, agricultural productivity, rural communities, and adaptation strategies;
  • Governance modes for sustainable farming transitions: factors and incentives;
  • Ecosystem services valuation in rural contexts;
  • Technological innovations and adoption for precision agriculture and risk mitigation;
  • Socio-economic aspects of agri-environmental risk management;
  • Communication strategies for agri-environmental risks;
  • Roles of digital platforms and AI in agri-environmental risk assessment and management;
  • Impact of climate change risks on agricultural economy, finance, and investment.

We encourage submissions from diverse geographical contexts, recognizing the global nature of these challenges while acknowledging regional specificities.

Dr. Lei Zhang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

24 pages, 2041 KB  
Article
EUDR: Identification of Agri-Environmental Risk Drivers of Financial Risks and Implementation Readiness in Eastern European Countries
by Maksym W. Sitnicki, Nataliia Prykaziuk, Diana Stelmakh, Olena Pimenowa, Sergiusz Pimenow and Marek Wigier
Agriculture 2026, 16(9), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16091014 - 6 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 755
Abstract
The EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) introduces a new regulatory framework in which the agri-environmental characteristics of production become a prerequisite for access to the European Union market. In this paper, the EUDR is conceptualized as a regulatory framework that renders pre-existing [...] Read more.
The EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) introduces a new regulatory framework in which the agri-environmental characteristics of production become a prerequisite for access to the European Union market. In this paper, the EUDR is conceptualized as a regulatory framework that renders pre-existing agri-environmental risk drivers economically relevant and, in cases of non-compliance, may translate them into financial risks for agricultural businesses through identifiable transmission channels. The study aims to identify these risk drivers and to assess the institutional and technical readiness of Eastern European countries to implement the Regulation’s requirements. The methodological approach combines an analysis of trade exposure to the EU market, an assessment of countries’ spatial and digital capacities, and the construction of an Institutional and Technical Readiness Index for EUDR implementation. The results indicate an asymmetric impact of the Regulation across the region, driven by cross-country differences in the availability of geospatial data, the maturity of digital traceability systems, and the effectiveness of institutional coordination. The findings further show that broad indicators of digital trade facilitation are insufficient to explain variation in readiness to comply with EUDR requirements. Overall, the study identifies the key institutional and technical constraints shaping EUDR implementation readiness and demonstrates how these constraints translate into financial risks along agricultural supply chains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 436 KB  
Article
Comparing the Agronomic and Economic Aspects of Sewage Sludge Composting and Vermicomposting
by Fernando V. Armas-Vega, Irene Gavilanes-Terán, Julio Idrovo-Novillo, Mateo Acosta, Bryan Sánchez-Andrango and Concepción Paredes
Agriculture 2025, 15(21), 2292; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15212292 - 3 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1155
Abstract
In recent decades, the urban population of Ecuador has grown, increasing the need for wastewater sanitation in cities. Wastewater treatment in this country generates sewage sludge (SS), which is mainly deposited on land near wastewater treatment plants or in sanitary landfills, generating significant [...] Read more.
In recent decades, the urban population of Ecuador has grown, increasing the need for wastewater sanitation in cities. Wastewater treatment in this country generates sewage sludge (SS), which is mainly deposited on land near wastewater treatment plants or in sanitary landfills, generating significant environmental impacts. In view of this, composting or vermicomposting of SS can be suitable treatments for this waste, and the final materials obtained can be used as organic amendments. The objective of this study was to compare the agronomic and economic aspects of composting and vermicomposting using the same SS mixtures with different plant residues. For this purpose, the evolution of various physicochemical and biological parameters of both processes, the quality of the materials obtained, and the costs of their production were evaluated. The results revealed that all the amendments presented characteristics suitable for safe agricultural use. The vermicomposts had significantly lower levels of salts and higher levels of most macro- and micronutrients than the composts, thus increasing their economic value. However, the average production cost of composts was lower than that of vermicomposts, with faster stabilization of organic matter. All of this indicates that both techniques could be suitable for treating SS, but in order to choose the most appropriate technique for the study area, further studies with other waste mixtures and agricultural validation of the composts and vermicomposts obtained, as well as control of possible contaminants, would be required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 627 KB  
Article
Social Capital Heterogeneity: Examining Farmer and Rancher Views About Climate Change Through Their Values and Network Diversity
by Michael Carolan
Agriculture 2025, 15(16), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15161749 - 15 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1422
Abstract
Agriculture plays a crucial role in discussions about environmental challenges because of its ecological footprint and high vulnerability to environmental shocks. To better understand the social and behavioral dynamics among food producers and their perceptions of climate change-related risks, this paper draws on [...] Read more.
Agriculture plays a crucial role in discussions about environmental challenges because of its ecological footprint and high vulnerability to environmental shocks. To better understand the social and behavioral dynamics among food producers and their perceptions of climate change-related risks, this paper draws on forty-one in-depth, semi-structured interviews with farmers and ranchers in Colorado (USA). Leveraging the concept of social capital, the paper extends the concept analytically in a direction missed by previous research highlighting network structures, such as by focusing on its bonding, bridging, and linking characteristics. Instead, focus centers on the inclusiveness and diversity of values, beliefs, worldviews, and cultural orientations within those networks, arguing that these elements can be just as influential, if not more so in certain instances, than structural qualities. The concept of social capital heterogeneity is introduced to describe a network’s level of diversity and inclusivity. The findings do not question the importance of studying network structures when trying to understand how food producers respond to threats like climate change; an approach that remains useful for explaining social learning, technology adoption, and behavioral change. However, this method misses elements captured through a subjective, interpretivist perspective. With social capital heterogeneity, we can use social capital to explore why farmers and ranchers hold specific values and risk perceptions, peering deeper “within” networks, while tools like quantitative social network analysis software help map their structures from the “outside.” Additionally, social capital heterogeneity provides valuable insights into questions about “effective” agro-environmental governance. The paper concludes by discussing practical implications of the findings and reviewing the limitations of the research design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2336 KB  
Article
The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Agricultural Insurance in Europe
by Alina Claudia Manescu, Flavia Mirela Barna, Horatiu Dan Regep, Camelia Maria Manescu and Cristina Cerba
Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090995 - 3 May 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4542
Abstract
In Europe, climate change has a big impact on agriculture, due to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Many and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, floods, and hailstorms cause major economic losses that affect crop quality and generate instability in [...] Read more.
In Europe, climate change has a big impact on agriculture, due to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Many and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, floods, and hailstorms cause major economic losses that affect crop quality and generate instability in supply chains. In this study, we analyse the evolution of extreme weather events across Europe starting from the 1980s. The economic losses caused by extreme events were divided into three categories: heatwaves, frost, and fires; floods; and storms. In order to identify the trend and any shifts of the trend of the extreme weather events, we calculated moving averages over different periods: 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. The moving average analysis shows how climate change has altered from causing isolated and temporary economic losses to generate a consistent upward trend in losses, with an increasingly significant impact in the short, medium, and long term. In the second part of this study, we conducted a correlation analysis between the economic losses caused by extreme weather events and variations in property insurance premiums (fire and other property damage—which includes crop insurance premiums) and we calculated correlation coefficients directly, with a one-year lag, and with a two-year lag. Thus, we analysed whether insurance markets respond immediately to incurred losses or whether, depending on climate trends, there are delays in premium adjustments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2831 KB  
Article
Agriculture–Environment Schemes Should Consider Farmers’ Socio-Cultural Background: A Case Study of Estonian Beef Cattle Farmers
by Raivo Kalle, Marko Kass, Monika Suškevičs, Renata Sõukand and Triin Reitalu
Agriculture 2025, 15(7), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15070741 - 30 Mar 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3546
Abstract
In Europe, intensive agriculture threatens species-rich semi-natural communities that have emerged from traditional agricultural activities. To protect these communities, subsidies are given to farmers through agri-environmental schemes (AESs). However, after nearly twenty years in operation, the uniform support system for farmers has not [...] Read more.
In Europe, intensive agriculture threatens species-rich semi-natural communities that have emerged from traditional agricultural activities. To protect these communities, subsidies are given to farmers through agri-environmental schemes (AESs). However, after nearly twenty years in operation, the uniform support system for farmers has not produced the expected results. Therefore, we conducted 15 semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews with beef cattle farmers in Estonia and identified the socio-ecological aspects of their activities. We found that small-scale farmers cannot compete with intensive farmers in the meat market because many breeds with slower weight gain and smaller body weights are grazed in semi-natural grasslands. Although two food quality schemes have been created in Estonia to value extensively grown meat, the permanent agricultural grasslands are under-supported, and the family farmers managing these areas feel the unfair distribution of subsidies. Moreover, family farms cannot compete with large farms, as the availability of pastures on family farms limits the number of livestock, and European Union animal welfare requirements and extreme weather conditions in 2023 have limited the number of herds. Since AESs have a large impact on farmers, we recommend that they be more flexible and consider the socio-cultural background of farmers and their impact on local communities when defining support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop