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19 pages, 1803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Crop Farm Productivity: Weather Effects, Technology Adoption, and Farm Management

by Sun Ling Wang, Ryan Olver and Daniel Bonin

Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6778; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156778 - 25 Jul 2025

The main purpose of this study is to understand the potential determinants of sustainable field crop farm productivity. This paper considers a multi-input, multi-output production technology to estimate the effects of aridity on farm-level productivity using a stochastic input distance function. By isolating [...] Read more.

The main purpose of this study is to understand the potential determinants of sustainable field crop farm productivity. This paper considers a multi-input, multi-output production technology to estimate the effects of aridity on farm-level productivity using a stochastic input distance function. By isolating the respective weather components of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP), we can better assess the impact on productivity of adopting various technologies and farm practices that might otherwise be masked by changing climate conditions or weather shocks. We make use of data from Phase 3 of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) between 2006 and 2020. We supplement this estimation using field crop farm productivity determinants, including technology adoption and farm practice variables derived from the ARMS Phase 2 data. We identify several factors that affect farm productivity, including many practices that help farmers make more sustainable use of natural resources. The results show that adopting yield monitoring technology, fallowing in previous years, adding or improving tile drainage, and contour farming each improved farm productivity. In particular, during our study period, conservation tillage increased by over 300% across states on average. It is estimated to increase productivity level by approximately 3% for those adopting this practice. Critically, accounting for local weather effects increased the estimated productivity of nearly all farm practices and increased the statistical significance of several variables, indicating that other TFP studies that did not account for climate or weather effects may have underestimated the technical efficiency of farms that adopted these conservation practices. However, the results also show the impacts can be heterogeneous, with effects varying between farms located in the U.S. northern or southern regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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21 pages, 4695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Manure to Vermicompost: Testing a Sustainable Approach for Agriculture

by Giovanna Marta Fusco, Ida Di Mola, Mauro Mori, Eugenio Cozzolino, Biagio Morrone, Fulvio Trasacco and Petronia Carillo

Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4253; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104253 - 8 May 2025

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Abstract

The application of organic amendments in agriculture has gained increasing attention as a sustainable approach to improving soil fertility and crop productivity. This study assessed the effects of vermicompost derived from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) manure on the yield and biochemical [...] Read more.

The application of organic amendments in agriculture has gained increasing attention as a sustainable approach to improving soil fertility and crop productivity. This study assessed the effects of vermicompost derived from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) manure on the yield and biochemical quality of cauliflower cultivated in soil types typical of the Campania region: loam and clay. Three fertilization treatments were tested, an unfertilized control, vermicompost (140 kg N ha⁻¹), and mineral fertilizer (MIN), at the same nitrogen rate. The results showed that vermicompost more significantly improved plant growth compared to the unfertilized control, particularly in loam soil, where the biomass and the leaf number increased by 160% and 335%, respectively. In clay soil, vermicompost enhanced nutrient availability, leading to a 159% biomass increase relative to the control. While mineral fertilization resulted in the highest yields, vermicompost improved the antioxidant capacity and influenced the amino acid composition, particularly in clay soil, where it enhanced the total amino acid content by 35% over that of the control. Additionally, vermicompost increased the quantity of soil organic matter and moderated the oxidative stress responses, suggesting long-term benefits for soil health. These findings highlight the potential of vermicompost as an effective and sustainable soil amendment, particularly in regions with intensive livestock farming and nitrate-sensitive environments. Further research is needed to optimize its integration with conventional fertilization strategies to maximize the agronomic and environmental benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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20 pages, 2832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Information Communication Technology in Ba Province, Fiji

by Nividita Varun Chand, Josphine Sandya Venkataiya, William Kerua, Leifeng Guo and Wensheng Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 3942; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093942 - 27 Apr 2025

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Abstract

This study examined the socioeconomic factors that influence the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in enhancing farm productivity among farmers in Ba Province, Fiji. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 320 randomly selected farmers across the province’s [...] Read more.

This study examined the socioeconomic factors that influence the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in enhancing farm productivity among farmers in Ba Province, Fiji. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 320 randomly selected farmers across the province’s 16 mainland districts. The analysis demonstrated that, although farmers possessed conventional ICTs, there was no direct correlation between ownership and actual utilisation. Significant determinants affecting ICT use were identified as education, experience, type of farming, and business model. These findings underscore critical implications for both policy and theoretical frameworks, emphasising essential factors to consider in the implementation of ICT solutions for agricultural practitioners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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17 pages, 2617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Botanical Evaluation of the Two-Year-Old Flower Strip with Analysis of the Local Carabidae Population: Case Study

by Jolanta Kowalska, Małgorzata Antkowiak, Alicja Tymoszuk, Kinga Matysiak and Paweł Sienkiewicz

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073223 - 4 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Flower strips (FSs) are an effective way to support the sustainable development of agricultural land. Properly managed FS on agricultural fields provide stable habitats for local arthropod populations, but over the years, it can be colonized by plants from the soil seed bank [...] Read more.

Flower strips (FSs) are an effective way to support the sustainable development of agricultural land. Properly managed FS on agricultural fields provide stable habitats for local arthropod populations, but over the years, it can be colonized by plants from the soil seed bank and then become a nuisance to surrounding crops. The aim of this study was to assess the botanical composition of FS in one year after establishment and to analyze the local population of Carabidae, most of which are predatory. Inventory of flowering plants in situ was made regularly from the beginning of June to the end of July, while beetles were collected in mid-July and August. It was found that plant species from the sown seed commercial mixture continued to dominate in the second year, but the proportion of species from the soil seed bank was also noted, ranging from 7.41% to 39.88%. It was concluded that Trifolium pratense L. and Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. should be particularly recommended for strip sowing in the observed habitats. The species diversity (H’) of Carabidae was higher in the FS than in the cultivated fields. However, when comparing the Shannon–Wiener index for wheat and FS, regardless of time observation, no significant differences were noted. The most abundant ground beetle in the FS was Harpalus rupees, a universal predator that also feeds on weed seeds. Significantly fewer species and individuals of Carabidae were found in the alfalfa field than in the FS and wheat fields. The number of Carabidae was significantly higher in August than in July. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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18 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles and Vermicompost on the Control of Aphelenchoides fragariae and Meloidogyne hapla in Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

by Andrzej Tomasz Skwiercz, Anita Zapałowska, Magdalena Szczech, Beata Kowalska, Dawid Kozacki, Tatyana Stefanovska, Olexander Zhukov, Małgorzata Sekrecka, Katarzyna Wójcik and Krzysztof Klamkowski

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2997; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072997 - 27 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. are sedentary endoparasites that infest a wide range of plant species; they are also widely distributed, making them one of the most economically significant pests. Similarly, damage caused by Aphelenchoides fragariae can lead to substantial reductions in both crop [...] Read more.

Root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. are sedentary endoparasites that infest a wide range of plant species; they are also widely distributed, making them one of the most economically significant pests. Similarly, damage caused by Aphelenchoides fragariae can lead to substantial reductions in both crop yield and quality. This research focused on the rhizosphere of Helianthus tuberosus L. (variety Albik), grown in a Polish plantation. The experiment was conducted at the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, using concrete rings filled with medium sandy soil amended with 10% peat. The treatments included the following: control (no amendments), silver solution (Ag+) (120 mg/L soil), and vermicompost (Ve) (20 L of Eisenia fetida vermicompost). Each treatment was replicated four times. Compared with control, (Ve) significantly decreased the numbers of Aphelenchoides fragariae and Meloidogyne hapla, by about 48% and 31%. The application of (Ag+) led to the most significant reduction in population density in both nematode species, with A. fragariae decreasing by over 67% and M. hapla by approximately 75%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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35 pages, 3716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Trends and Determinants of Wheat Cultivation in Poland (2004–2023): A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Productivity, Resilience, and Climate Adaptation

by Radosław Wolniak and Wiesław Wes Grebski

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052225 - 4 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1331

Abstract

Wheat farming is of utter importance in every country around the world, since it is a critical crop that contributes to food security and rural development. Given this importance, this research work investigates trends, determinants, and spatial variability in Polish wheat production between [...] Read more.

Wheat farming is of utter importance in every country around the world, since it is a critical crop that contributes to food security and rural development. Given this importance, this research work investigates trends, determinants, and spatial variability in Polish wheat production between the years 2004 and 2023, with a key interest in productivity, resilience, and sustainable farming. This work will apply spatiotemporal analysis, statistical modeling, and ARIMA forecasting in the identification of the environmental, economic, and policy factors that interact with the wheat yield. Determinants include climatic variables, temperature, and precipitation, production costs, and market prices. These results point to great regional disparities in yield; the apparently better regions, such as Opole and Pomerania, enjoy exceptionally good environmental conditions with good access to modern technology, while regions like Podlasie and Subcarpathia are characterized by poor soil quality and a shortage of resources. This paper has pointed out the need for differential intervention policies that could contribute to reducing such yield gaps, increasing resilience to climate change, and hence contributing to sustainable wheat production growth. The stabilized yields projected underline the resilience of the sector to various challenges, from climate variability to market fluctuations. The results also indicate how innovative practices, supported by enabling policy frameworks, are essential in the promotion of wheat production in an environmentally friendly way, such as precision agriculture. The present research work will provide useful tools for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders by providing active insights into how to achieve equitable and sustainable agricultural development in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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34 pages, 2317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Enhanced Seed Potato Yield: Ultrasonication Techniques for Sustainable Agricultural Development

by Piotr Pszczółkowski, Piotr Barbaś and Barbara Sawicka

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031225 - 3 Feb 2025

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Abstract

The study aimed to explore the potential of ultrasonication techniques in seed potato production as a sustainable agricultural innovation. By improving seed potato efficiency and promoting resource optimization, this research aligns with the goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, addressing challenges such [...] Read more.

The study aimed to explore the potential of ultrasonication techniques in seed potato production as a sustainable agricultural innovation. By improving seed potato efficiency and promoting resource optimization, this research aligns with the goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, addressing challenges such as food security, environmental preservation, and economic viability in rural farming communities. The study was conducted over three years in the central–eastern region of Poland, utilizing a randomized block design with a split-split-plot approach. The main experimental factor was the cultivation technology, which included (a) an innovative ultrasonic pre-sowing treatment method and (b) a traditional cultivation method without such treatment. The secondary factor was the potato varieties. The ultrasonic treatment of tubers was performed using an ultrasonic tub-type device equipped with piezoelectric transducers. Cultivation technology, potato varieties, and weather conditions had a significant impact on the yield of tubers in the seed potato fraction size, the number of tubers in this fraction, and the multiplication coefficient. Additionally, the genetic characteristics of the studied varieties and random environmental factors significantly influenced the weight of a single seed potato tuber and the number of shoots produced by each plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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21 pages, 3632 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

China’s Rural Revitalization Policy: A PRISMA 2020 Systematic Review of Poverty Alleviation, Food Security, and Sustainable Development Initiatives

by Wang Yaohong, R. B. Radin Firdaus, Jiaqing Xu, Nasrullah Dharejo and Gui Jun

Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020569 - 13 Jan 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2953

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates China’s Rural Revitalization Policy, focusing on sustainable agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation initiatives from 2010 to 2024. The study addresses critical gaps in understanding how these combined efforts impact long-term food security and ecological sustainability in impoverished areas, [...] Read more.

This systematic review evaluates China’s Rural Revitalization Policy, focusing on sustainable agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation initiatives from 2010 to 2024. The study addresses critical gaps in understanding how these combined efforts impact long-term food security and ecological sustainability in impoverished areas, moving beyond the short-term outcomes often emphasized in existing literature. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we reviewed 33 peer-reviewed publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, employing bibliometric analyses in RStudio to assess citation patterns, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. Our analysis reveals significant progress across three interconnected domains. First, poverty alleviation initiatives achieved a 12.3% reduction in rural poverty through integrated agricultural modernization and targeted support programs. Second, agricultural productivity increased by 9.8% through technological integration and sustainable farming practices, strengthening food security outcomes. Third, environmental sustainability improved notably, with a 15.7% increase in clean water access, demonstrating a successful balance between economic growth and ecological protection. China emerged as the largest contributor (15.2%) to research in this field, with substantial international collaboration (42.4% of publications involving cross-border co-authorship). Despite these achievements, significant regional disparities persist, particularly between eastern and western regions, where targeted interventions are needed. The findings highlight the need for regionally tailored approaches: eastern regions require focus on sustainable intensification, western regions need fundamental infrastructure development, and central regions would benefit from strengthened urban–rural linkages. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers working on rural development initiatives while identifying areas requiring further research, particularly in long-term sustainability assessments and climate resilience strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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