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Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II
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Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2025) | Viewed by 2680

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Carmen-Luiza Costuleanu

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Guest Editor
Agroeconomy, Iaşi University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Interests: economy; agricultural economy; sustainable agricultural economy; resilience; environmental economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mioara Mihăilă

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Guest Editor
Agroeconomy, Iaşi University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Interests: marketing; consumer behavior; agrifood market research; sustainable rural development; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. George Ungureanu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agroeconomics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" Iasi, Avenue Mihail Sadoveanu, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
Interests: management; sustainable agricultural; regional and rural development; strategic management; information management; modeling and simulation in economics; management in agrotourism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural economy generally pertains to the agricultural environment, resources, risk and uncertainty, food and consumer economics, prices and incomes, market structures, trade and development,  technical change, and human capital. Food and fibre productivity have soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization, and government policies that favour maximizing production and reducing food prices.

At this moment, an important concern is related to a sustainable agricultural economy. In a reductionist form, sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity.

However, are there any important differences between sustainable agriculture and the sustainability of agriculture? It seems that sustainable agriculture is founded on techniques, methods, processes, etc. On the other hand, it seems that the sustainability of agriculture is based on continuity and quality in relation to resources and the obtained results. Is it possible for the principles of economics to influence the concept of sustainable agriculture more than sustainable agriculture?

This might be an important question that needs a good answer. Furthermore, it is important to develop and emphasize the relationships between sustainable agriculture/the sustainability of agriculture and other modern research and practical directions, such as circular economy, rural economy, intelligent climate/climate-oriented agriculture, sustainable governance, proximity agriculture, social agriculture, cycling agricultural economy, knowledge economy, artificial intelligence, and digital economy. Resilience and adaptability might also be related to a sustainable agricultural economy.

All these mentioned uni- or bi-directional relationships can initiate or develop the principles of a sustainable agricultural economy.

The first volume of this Special Issue can be found at following website:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/WY5ZWRB7M2

Prof. Dr. Carmen-Luiza Costuleanu
Dr. Mioara Mihăilă
Prof. Dr. George Ungureanu
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

  • sustainability
  • sustainable agricultural economy
  • agriculture economy
  • circular agricultural economy
  • cycling agricultural economy
  • proximity agriculture economy
  • social agriculture economy
  • climate-oriented agriculture economy
  • knowledge agriculture economy
  • digital agriculture economy

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 3169 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Economic Sustainability of the EU and Romanian Farming Sectors
by Ioan Prigoreanu, Gabriela Radu, Andreea Grigore-Sava, Carmen Luiza Costuleanu, George Ungureanu and Gabriela Ignat
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104440 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 324
Abstract
In the context of increasing pressures on European agriculture, the economic sustainability of farming sectors is becoming a key strategic objective, especially for Member States with structural vulnerabilities such as Romania. This study proposes an integrated assessment of the economic sustainability of farming [...] Read more.
In the context of increasing pressures on European agriculture, the economic sustainability of farming sectors is becoming a key strategic objective, especially for Member States with structural vulnerabilities such as Romania. This study proposes an integrated assessment of the economic sustainability of farming sectors in the European Union and Romania for the period 2013–2022 using an analytical framework based on composite indicators built on data from the FADN network. The seven indicators used are grouped into three dimensions: (i) economic performance—profitability, capitalization, and liquidity (FESI, FCI, PCFI); (ii) subsidy dependence and efficiency (FSDI, SEI); and (iii) technical–economic efficiency in the use of resources (FEPI, COEI). The results indicate accelerated economic growth of Romanian farms, but it is associated with structural vulnerabilities, such as low capitalization, high liquidity volatility, and high dependence on public support. In contrast, farms in the EU show superior financial resilience and a steady investment capacity. This study underlines the need for differentiated agricultural policies aimed at strengthening financial autonomy, increasing investment efficiency, and reducing the gap between Romania and the EU, helping to inform policy interventions for the transition towards a more competitive and resilient farming sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II)
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20 pages, 690 KiB  
Article
Empowering Sustainable Farming: Harnessing Digital Technology for Green and Low-Carbon Agricultural Practices
by Yanju Song and Min Liu
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1617; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041617 - 15 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 879
Abstract
Agricultural digitization is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency and promoting green low-carbon development. Based on the provincial panel data of China from 2012 to 2021, this study employs the entropy value method and the GML index based on SBM-DDF to quantify [...] Read more.
Agricultural digitization is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency and promoting green low-carbon development. Based on the provincial panel data of China from 2012 to 2021, this study employs the entropy value method and the GML index based on SBM-DDF to quantify agricultural digitization and agricultural green total factor productivity. It utilizes two-way fixed effects, group regression, and threshold effect models to examine the influence of agricultural digitization in agriculture on the green and carbon-reduction progression of farming practices, as well as to clarify the underlying mechanisms behind these effects. The study finds that agricultural digitalization significantly promotes agricultural green low-carbon development. Green innovation and scale operation mediate the impact path of agricultural digitalization, and there is a threshold effect of digital financial inclusion. Moreover, agricultural digitization has a significant impact on the eastern region and a smaller impact on the central and western areas, and the effect is better in regions with high levels of innovation. The results of the study provide a scientific basis for the synergizing of agricultural digitization and agricultural development that is green and low-carbon, as well as for the construction of relevant subjects for interest cooperation and sharing mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II)
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17 pages, 597 KiB  
Article
Factors Influencing the Productivity of Direct Energy Inputs in EU Agriculture
by Ludwik Wicki, Hanna Dudek, Andrzej Parzonko, Dariusz Kusz and Kaspars Naglis-Liepa
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031217 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 944
Abstract
Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture [...] Read more.
Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture across European Union (EU) countries from 2010 to 2021, focusing on the impact of structural factors, including production scale, mechanization, intensity, and output composition. The results showed a gradual decline in energy productivity, averaging a 1.04% annual decrease, reaching EUR 344,000 per terajoule (TJ) in 2021. Higher mechanization and production intensity improved energy productivity, while larger production scales and a greater share of animal farming had negative effects. Given the current trends of production expansion and extensification, further progress in energy productivity in agriculture appears limited. Policy measures should prioritize optimizing animal production’s share and adopting a sustainable use of renewable energy to lower the dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel sources. Future strategies must balance high agricultural output with sustainable energy consumption per food unit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II)
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