Submit to Topical Collection Review for Sustainability

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Contemporary Challenges to the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas

Print Collection Flyer
Collection Editors
Collection Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Viewed by 38931

Share This Topical Collection

Editors

Prof. Dr. Anna Nowak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Economics and Agribusiness, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: agricultural economics; agricultural competitiveness; farm competitiveness; bioeconomy; regional development; sustainable agriculture; agricultural and food trade
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Armand Kasztelan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Economics and Agribusiness, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: green growth; green economy; sustainable development; green agriculture; green competitiveness; regional development; bioeconomy; circular economy

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing rate of social and economic growth and the simultaneous progressing degradation of the natural environment lead to the accumulation of negative effects and disturbances in developing the process of satisfying multiple essential human needs. The aggravated harmfulness of these conditions creates an objective need for seeking effective, interdisciplinary solutions ensuring sustainable development in every area of individual and group human activity. The concept of sustainable development takes on special significance with reference to agriculture and rural areas, as the need for considering the priority of the natural environment in implementing strategic development objectives is especially important for those forms of activity where the results depend on nature.

The food-providing function of agriculture since its origins has given it a strategic place among other sectors of economy. Its social function is equally important, and in the face of escalating environmental problems the function connected with reducing external costs and producing environmental public goods has become complementary. The expectations towards agriculture are affected by the situation of global food markets. Changes to the economic map of the world, as well as not yet fully recognized new socio-economic phenomena (including economic downturns), have substantially affected the conditions of development in various parts of the world and economic sectors, including the agriculture sector. In light of these phenomena, agriculture, rural areas, and regional development are still growing in importance and currency.

This Issue welcomes papers related to existing and potential challenges regarding agriculture, considering spatial differences in its development, as well as measures taken under global, national, and sectoral policies. The Issue particularly encourages a multidisciplinary approach to problems and challenges related to agriculture, its role, sources of growth, and relations with global phenomena, including climate change. The Issue aims to combine research concerning challenges to the development of agriculture with challenges related to regional development. The area of interest of this issue comprises challenges related to sources of growth in agriculture, changes in the role of the agri-food sector, mechanisms for overcoming structural barriers to the development of agriculture and rural areas, building competitive advantages, convergence processes in agriculture, implementing the concept of sustainable development and green growth, investigating the role and effects of innovation in agriculture, as well as determining the role of farms towards climatic challenges.

This Special Issue also aims to make a contribution to a political debate on supporting the development of agriculture at the local, regional, and global levels, in order to meet the challenges facing this sector. It is meant for decision-makers dealing with agricultural, structural, and regional policy.

The Special Issue will include, but not be limited to, the following topics:

Economics of agricultural resources;
Sustainability of the agriculture sector;
Competitiveness and innovativeness of the agri-food system;
The role of the agriculture sector in regional and rural development;
Circular economy and bioeconomy in the agriculture sector.

Prof. Dr. Anna Nowak
Prof. Dr. Armand Kasztelan
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 collection 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

sustainable agriculture
agricultural economics
regional development
rural development
bioeconomy
circular economy
agricultural innovation
competitiveness
economic efficiency and eco-efficiency

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

16 pages, 2256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Meat Value Chain Contribution to Territory Sustainability—The Case of Autochthonous Bovine Jarmelista’s Breed

by Teresa Paiva and Paula Coutinho

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14525; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914525 - 6 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1399

Abstract

In regional contexts and within specific sustainable businesses based on endogenous resources, analysing their value chain is crucial to support the sustainability characteristics and comply with the new consumer’s demand. Short supply value chains are also typical for these types of businesses and bring advantages regarding competitive and sustainability claims. Jarmelista Bovine Breed Meat’s case study complies with the context and characteristics of a short value chain that is important to define and analyse to support and offer a clear sustainability claim and continue to promote territorial values, namely in the mountain and inland regions. This research, based on case study methodology, aimed to define the Jarmelista meat supply value chain considering perceptions of producers and the other actors of the Jarmelista meat value chain, and as a basis for business improvement in this specific mountain and inland territory, adding value to the meat and contributing to the sustainable values of the meat production to deliver a product that preserves its cultural and sustainable heritage. Based on the results obtained from the interview and surveys conducted, a simple and feasible business orientation for the leading players is suggested, as this points out the focus attributes and relevant issues to be considered along the value chain that, in an integrated approach, can offer to the consumer market a sustainable meat product and contribute to the preservation of the territory sustainability. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 916 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Rural Population Aging on Agricultural Carbon Emissions in China

by Yongqiang Zhang, Quanyao Dong and Guifang Ma

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6812; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086812 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

The “double carbon” goal (China aims to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060) puts forward new requirements for the low-carbon development of agriculture. However, with the increasing aging of the rural population and the gradual aging of the agricultural labor force, determining the best means of achieving the target of reducing agricultural carbon emissions is particularly urgent. Based on the IPAT identity relationship (method of decomposing environmental impact (I) into socio-economic variables: population (P), affluence (A), and technology (T)), aging of the rural population, rural residents’ income, and agricultural technology innovation were selected as threshold variables. Using provincial panel data from 2003 to 2020 in China, this study empirically analyzed the impact of rural population aging on agricultural carbon emissions through a threshold–STIRPAT expansion model. The results showed that agricultural carbon emissions showed an inverted U-shaped growth trend from 2003 to 2020 and reached a peak in 2016. Baseline regression found that rural population aging has a significant emission reduction effect on agricultural carbon emissions. In addition, rural residents’ income and agricultural technology innovation have significant positive and negative impacts on agricultural carbon emissions, respectively. Using the three environmental factors as threshold variables, it was found that there is a significant threshold effect. The emission reduction effect of rural population aging weakens with the deepening of the aging degree but is enhanced with the improvement of rural residents’ income and agricultural technology innovation. In view of these findings, policy suggestions are put forward for agricultural low-carbon development that alleviates the effects of rural population aging, increases rural residents’ income, and strengthens agricultural technological innovation. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

17 pages, 1571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution and Trends of Agricultural Carbon Emission Intensity and Agricultural Economic Development Levels—Evidence from Jiangxi Province

by Xieqihua Liu, Yongmei Ye, Dongdong Ge, Zhen Wang and Bin Liu

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114265 - 1 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2422

Abstract

The study of the evolutionary patterns and trends of agricultural carbon emission intensity and agricultural economic development levels plays an important role in promoting the green and low-carbon sustainable development of agriculture. This paper adopts the carbon emission factor method to measure the agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangxi Province from 2001 to 2020, uses the LMDI decomposition method to explore the drivers of carbon emissions, and further analyzes the coupling relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and the agricultural economy using the Tapio decoupling model, based on which a GM (1,1) model is used to forecast the agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangxi Province from 2001 to 2015. According to the research results, agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangxi Province show a trend of “rising and then falling”, with the intensity decreasing; the level of economic development is the main factor that increases carbon emissions, while the efficiency of agricultural production, the size of the labor force, and the structure of agricultural production have positive effects in terms of reducing carbon emissions. How to reduce carbon emissions while promoting agricultural economic development is an issue that remains to be addressed in the future. Further analysis found that the decoupling states of Jiangxi Province from 2001 to 2009 switched between strong decoupling and weak decoupling, with weak decoupling dominating the years 2010–2015 and strong decoupling dominating from 2016 onwards. With the continuous promotion of carbon emission reduction, agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangxi Province will continue to show a decreasing trend over the next five years. Three policy recommendations are put forth in order to advance the effort to reduce agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangxi Province: cultivating high-quality and low-carbon rice varieties, switching to green agricultural production, and coordinating the connection between economic growth and agricultural carbon emissions. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

19 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revitalization Education in Problem Areas as a Tool for the Implementation of Social Welfare

by Beata Skubiak

Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11291; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011291 - 13 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

Achieving social well-being in problem areas requires social and economic activation, which is made possible by a change in the attitudes and behavior of the area’s inhabitants. In this systematic review article, the author points out that in order for current public interventions for people at risk in problem areas to be effective, the use of available research by neurobiologists is required. To this end, the author: (1) made a synthetic characterization of problem areas in the world, with particular emphasis on social challenges; (2) reviewed both the available research written by neuroscientists and their subsequent conclusions, which may contribute to better explanations of the social consequences of transformation; (3) on this basis, the author formulated conclusions and recommendations for decision makers. In addition, a review of available research by neuroscientists will help to understand why efforts so far targeting marginalized social groups have been ineffective or insufficient. Revitalization education is defined as all the processes and interactions that aim to change the attitudes and behaviors of people, in particular children and adolescents, in order to contribute to the integration and inclusion of people at risk of social exclusion, and thus improve their well-being. Revitalization education should be directed at people who are caught up in a negative loop of social patterns. Since their fate is shaped by the influence of parents and teachers, the method used for reconstructing positive life patterns towards prodevelopment skills and competences should also be directed at these groups. The article discusses: social problems of marginalized areas; the impact of neuroscience on economic decision making; and recommendations formulated for educational activities. Full article

18 pages, 3215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing Spatiotemporal Development of Organic Farming in Poland

by Elżbieta Antczak

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10399; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810399 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3137

Abstract

Organic farming is one of the most widely known sustainable models of agricultural production. Success in eco-agriculture also depends greatly on agri-environmental, territorial, economic, social, institutional and spatial conditions. Polish eco-farming is very regionally dispersed and diversified. Regarding the important contribution of organic farming, a better understanding of how this phenomenon develops and which factors affect its spatial distribution can be influential for policymakers in planning strategies that pursue sustainable development objectives in rural areas. This paper assesses the development and analyses the spatial distribution of organic farming in Polish LAU-2. The country’s eco-agriculture was mapped and defined using a synthetic measure, described by 27 sub-measurements of ecological crop cultivation, animal maintenance and eco-production. The local spatial patterns (direction, scale, and range) of organic farming were detected by spatial autocorrelation measurements. The analysis was conducted for the period 2014–2020. Possible external and internal determinants of this spatial dispersion were also defined. The results indicate that the distribution and spread of organic farming in Poland are related to public support, institutional regulations, social considerations, environmental concerns, the local job market and spatial dependencies. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 3820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental and Climate Challenges to Agriculture in Poland in the Context of Objectives Adopted in the European Green Deal Strategy

by Konrad Prandecki, Wioletta Wrzaszcz and Marek Zieliński

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810318 - 15 Sep 2021

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 8355

Abstract

The European Green Deal strategy, prepared in 2019, involves a number of challenges for European agriculture. These challenges are broadly linked to a need for agriculture to undertake actions in order to improve environmental and climate protection, which will require changes in agricultural practices and the currently observed industrialization processes of agriculture that are destabilizing ecosystems and climate. In view of the diversity of agriculture and its impacts on the environment, it is important to identify the challenges faced by the EU Member States. The aim of this paper is to identify the main environmental and climate challenges that agriculture in Poland will have to face due to the current European Green Deal strategy and its objectives, taking into account the organizational changes in this sector so far and the existing forms of environmental protection in rural areas. The paper is based on empirical data from the Farm Structure Survey conducted by Statistics Poland in 2005, 2007 and 2016, data on greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural origin gathered by the National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE), data from the European Commission, the General Directorate for Environmental Protection and the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute concerning the delimitation of the Natura 2000 areas in Poland and the Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics—National Research Institute on three national variants of High Nature Value Farmland areas delimited for the needs of the European Commission, as well as data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the delimitation of the less favoured areas with high natural value. In addition, a literature review was conducted indicating the links between agriculture, the environment and climate. The results of the study illustrate the state of Polish agriculture and the changes in this sector in the context of environmental and climate challenges. The results also identify the most difficult areas that will require practical solutions in the future to implement the European Green Deal strategy in Poland. The findings will provide an important basis for policy makers in terms of effective support of agriculture and for the scientific community with regard to agricultural research, which should be particularly developed in order to be able to adapt the agricultural sector to new challenges. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Significance of Agriculture for Bioeconomy in the Member States of the European Union

by Anna Nowak, Anna Kobiałka and Artur Krukowski

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168709 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3717

Abstract

Bioeconomy is a response of the European Union and its member states to global challenges such as ensuring food security, mandatory sustainable management of natural resources, mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on non-renewable resources. One of the sectors playing an important role in the development of bioeconomy is agriculture, which accounts for the largest part of biomass used as a raw material for producing bioproducts. This paper is an attempt to answer the following questions: What is the essence and significance of the bioeconomy sector in the EU? How significant is agriculture to the bioeconomy sector? What is the potential and competitiveness of agriculture in EU countries? Data used in surveys is sourced from the Data-Modelling platform of agro-economics research and covers the years 2008–2017. The position of agriculture in the bioeconomy was determined based on measures such as level of employment and gross value added (GVA), turnover, while its competitiveness was assessed based on labour productivity. The results of surveys showed that more than 50% of all bioeconomy workers were employed in agriculture. The sector produced nearly 30% GVA and had a more than 18% share in bioeconomy turnover. Member states of the European Union featured diverse agricultural potential. At the same time, the productivity of agriculture was one of the lowest in the bioeconomy sector. The importance of agriculture stems not only from its food function, but also from the production of biomass. However, its social function is equally important, and in the face of escalating environmental problems the function connected with reducing external costs and producing environmental public goods has become complementary. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contemporary Challenges to the Organic Farming: A Polish and Hungarian Case Study

by Anna Mazurek-Kusiak, Bogusław Sawicki and Agata Kobyłka

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8005; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148005 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3621

Abstract

From year to year, there is an increasing demand for agricultural produce from certified organic farms. However, Poland and Hungary’s demand for this product is almost twenty times smaller than in Western European countries. The greater the demand by consumers for organic farming products, the more agricultural producers decide to switch from conventional farming to organic farming, and this farming is more environmentally friendly because it uses energy and natural resources responsibly, maintains biodiversity, maintains regional ecological balance, improves soil food, and maintains good water quality. This research aimed to compare the motives and barriers to running organic farms in Poland and Hungary, and the challenges farmers must face to undertake the trouble of running an organic farm. The research was carried out among 400 Polish and 400 Hungarian farmers running organic farms. For statistical calculations, discriminant analysis, as well as single-base and chain indices, were used. The main barriers for establishing organic farms: the necessity to adapt one’s farm to the EU requirements, using only natural fertilizers, low yields, the lack of proper advice, and a high degree of bureaucracy. Therefore, for organic farming to develop, further education is needed, both for farmers and consumers. An important aspect is improving the quality of the regulations and simplifying the administrative burden related to organic farming. Full article

15 pages, 889 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Proposed Changes in Polish Agricultural Products Consumption Structure for 2030 Based on Data from 2008–2018

by Anna Kuczuk and Katarzyna Widera

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147536 - 6 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4530

Abstract

The type of acquired food products is a derivative of various factors which depend both on economic aspects and consumer awareness. The purpose of this article is to present possible scenarios of changes in Polish agricultural products consumption structure in 2030 which may be due to increased consumer awareness and a transition to a more sustainable consumption. Suggested scenarios took into account both the supply side of Polish agricultural consumer products and the demand for such products. This study is based on data retrieved from FAOSTAT and Poland’s Central Statistical Office. We demonstrated that domestic agricultural production is capable of supplying Poland’s population with a sufficient amount of high-energy food products and proteins. Moreover, suggested scenarios anticipating reduced consumption of selected types of meat and cereals should not cause energy or protein deficiency. Total available energy (kcal/cap/day) in a scenario with reduced intake of selected animal and plant products (+/−75% scenario) could be 4141 while maintaining a balanced proportion of energy derived from protein (14.5%), animal proteins (48%) and an increase in the share of energy from plant production. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Models of Farms in the European Union

by Hanna Klikocka, Aneta Zakrzewska and Piotr Chojnacki

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4772; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094772 - 24 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3703

Abstract

The article describes and sets the definition of different farm models under the categories of being family, small, and large-scale commercial farms. The distinction was based on the structure of the workforce and the relationship between agricultural income and the minimum wage. Family farms were dominated by the farming family providing the labour and their income per capita exceeded the net minimum wage in the country. The larger commercial farms feature a predominance of hired labour. Based on surveys, it was found that in 2016 in the EU-28 there were 10,467,000 farms (EU-13—57.3%, EU-15—42.7%). They carried out agricultural activities on an area of 173,338,000 ha (EU-13—28.5%, EU-15—71.5%). Countries of the EU-28 generated a standard output (SO) amounting to EUR 364,118,827,100 (EU-13—17.2% and EU-15—82.8%). After the delimitation, it was shown that small farming (70.8%) was the predominant form of management in the European Union (EU-13—88.2% and EU-15—79.8%) compared to family farming (18.4%) (EU-13—10.5% and EU-15—29%). In most EU countries the largest share of land resources pertains to small farms (35.6%) and family farms (38.6%) (UAA—utilised agricultural area of farms). Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Contemporary Challenges to the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas

Share This Topical Collection

Editors

Topical Collection Information

Keywords

Published Papers (10 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI