Agriculture in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
Special Issue Editors
2. Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: environmental impact assessment; sustainable development; environment; land-use management; environmental modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: environmental impact assessment; sustainable development; environment; climate change and nature-based solutions; water resource management in an integrated approach (landscape-seascape: source to sea), and water-energy-food nexus systems and analysis
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Agriculture has long been the foundation of cultural identity, livelihoods, and economic activity across small island developing states (SIDSs). At present, this vital sector is at a crossroads, strained by scarce land and water resources, volatile global markets, and increasing reliance on food imports that undermines local production. Compounding this, the colonial legacy of cash crops continues to dominate landscapes, hindering the diversification needed for healthier, more resilient food systems. The convergence of these challenges poses a direct threat to national food security, public health, and economic stability.
This Special Issue of Land, “Agriculture in Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” seeks to chart a new course. We welcome cutting-edge research, reviews, and case studies that showcase innovative, sustainable, and inclusive pathways to revitalize SIDS agriculture. We aim to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern technology, exploring how agriculture can be reimagined as a catalyst for sustainable development, nutritious diets, and resilient communities.
We particularly encourage submissions that examine the following:
- Integrated approaches for managing scarce land and water resources;
- The potential of agroecology, organic farming, and circular food systems on the SIDS;
- Gender- and youth-inclusive agribusiness models that link agriculture to sustainable tourism;
- Knowledge transfer, innovation, and value addition in small-scale island agribusinesses;
- Policies and partnerships that build resilience for local food systems of SIDS against external shocks and climate change.
By assembling empirical insights and transformative ideas, this Special Issue hope to outline a new vision for agriculture in SID, one that secures not just caloric sufficiency but also nutritional health, cultural relevance, and environmental sustainability. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for SIDSs where agriculture is the cornerstone of resilient, thriving island communities.
Dr. Ben Sonneveld
Dr. Amani Alfarra
Dr. Brinda Ramasawmy
Guest Editors
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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.
Keywords
- agriculture
- food system
- land and water resources
- climate change
- small island developing states (SIDSs)
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