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Agricultural Sustainability and Economic Viability: The Role of Technology

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 May 2026 | Viewed by 119

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Johannesburg 2146, South Africa
Interests: economic growth; irrigation; agriculture econometrics; microeconomics; development economics; research methodology; qualitative research; rural livelihoods

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Guest Editor
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa
Interests: agricultural economics

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Business Administration, St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Mwanza 33000, Tanzania
Interests: neural networks; double hurdle; deep learning; typology

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Guest Editor
Department of Economics, Tshwane University of Technology, Polokwane 0700, South Africa
Interests: climate change; development economics; open market macroeconomics; international economics (regional integration); behavioral economics

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Guest Editor
Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Midrand 1687, South Africa
Interests: sustainable livelihoods

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is a critical nexus between economic viability and sustainable agricultural systems. However, economic viability alone, although necessary, is not a sufficient condition for sustainability.  Research is needed to ground the concept in line with institutional and resource economics, in addition to obtaining strong support from technological developments, noting the fact that technology can be both a disruptor and an enabler in the process of achieving agricultural sustainability. This Special Issue thus responds to the now urgent global call for the reconceptualization of technology and how it can contribute to resilient, economically viable agricultural systems that enhance livelihoods while simultaneously safeguarding environmental sustainability. Drawing from a wide range of global communities such as water governance, (community-based) resource management, and value chain economics, this Special Issue welcomes theoretical and empirical explorations into how technological developments, such as precision farming, blockchain, and digital cooperatives, can bridge systemic gaps in sustainable resource allocation, production efficiency, and market integration. The aim is to amplify voices from diverse geographic and economic contexts, especially those in the Global South, where technological advancements and technological adoption must be balanced with social justice, equity considerations, and (often inadequate) local institutional capacities. Moreover, this Special Issue will serve as an intellectual platform for scholars, development practitioners, and policymakers to critically reflect, share innovations, and influence the policy landscape around economically viable yet sustainable agricultural systems in the digital age, highlighting the role that technology will play in the context of climate change.

Dr. Godswill Makombe
Prof. Dr. Ajuruchukwu Obi
Dr. Anne Gongwe
Dr. Ngonidzashe Chiranga
Dr. Binganidzo Muchara
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • economic viability
  • agricultural sustainability
  • communities of practice
  • institutional economics
  • resource economics
  • technology
  • precision farming
  • blockchain and digital cooperatives
  • justice
  • equity
  • climate change

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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