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Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 6 February 2027 | Viewed by 5284

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Editors

Dr. Gabriele Scozzafava

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Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Florence, Italy
Interests: agricultural economics; agri-food economics; agricultural valuation; marketing; environmental economics; agricultural policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tommaso Fantechi

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144 Florence, Italy
Interests: agri-food economics; market dynamics; sustainability and rural development policies; consumer behaviour; marketing strategies for agricultural products; valorisation of local and sustainable food systems; analytical accounting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue examines the economic sustainability of agricultural systems with high environmental, landscape and social value, such as viticulture, olive growing and other traditional multifunctional crops. These systems not only generate farm income but also provide essential ecosystem services, contributing to biodiversity conservation, landscape management and cultural heritage preservation. The Special Issue focuses on assessing their economic performance, identifying limits and opportunities and exploring strategies to enhance the value of the products derived from these systems.

The scope includes contributions on the economic evaluation of sustainable cropping systems, integrated assessments of environmental and social benefits, policy tools supporting multifunctional agriculture and marketing and consumer-behaviour research aimed at effectively communicating the multifunctionality and territorial value of products. By combining economic analysis, policy perspectives, marketing and consumer insights, the Special Issue adopts a multidimensional approach to sustainability.

Its purpose is to offer evidence-based insights for policymakers, researchers and stakeholders, supporting the development of effective rural and agricultural strategies. A key contribution lies in connecting system-level sustainability with product valorization processes, filling a gap in the existing literature that often isolates environmental assessments from economic and market dimensions. By linking crop system sustainability, policy frameworks and consumer responses, the Special Issue highlights the potential of high-value crops to act as drivers of resilient local economies and sustainable supply chains.

Dr. Gabriele Scozzafava
Dr. Tommaso Fantechi
Guest Editors

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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-anonymized 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.

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Keywords

economic sustainability
high environmental value crops
multifunctional agriculture
ecosystem services
sustainable rural development
product valorization
consumer behaviour

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 4058 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Policy Instruments, Multidimensional Cognition, and Smallholder Tea Farmers’ Adoption Intensity of Pesticide-Reduction Practices: Evidence from Jian’ou City, Fujian Province, China

by Baocai Su, Cuiying Lin, Weitao Ye and Jinsheng Chen

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147218 - 15 Jul 2026

Viewed by 292

Abstract

Encouraging smallholder tea farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides requires attention not only to adoption status but also to adoption intensity. Yet evidence remains limited on how perceived policy instruments are associated with adoption intensity and whether these associations exhibit the same cognition-related pattern. This study examines the associations of three perceived policy instruments—subsidy support, capacity-building support, and information provision—with adoption intensity, measured as the number of five predefined pesticide-reduction practice categories adopted by each farmer. Using survey data from 282 smallholder tea farmers in Jian’ou City, Fujian Province, China, we estimate ordered probit models and apply Karlson–Holm–Breen decomposition within an ordered logit framework. The results show that all three perceived policy instruments are positively associated with adoption intensity. The KHB results reveal different cognition-related patterns across the three instruments. Multidimensional cognition partially accounts for the association between subsidy support and adoption intensity. By contrast, no corresponding indirect association is identified for capacity-building support or information provision. These findings highlight the value of distinguishing among perceived policy instruments when explaining smallholder tea farmers’ adoption intensity. The cognition-related pattern identified for one instrument may not extend to others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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28 pages, 3038 KB

Open AccessArticle

Decomposing the Drivers of CO₂ Emissions in India: A Dual Adjustment Approach

by Jani Kinnunen and Irina Georgescu

Sustainability 2026, 18(13), 6531; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18136531 - 26 Jun 2026

Viewed by 477

Abstract

Understanding how economic growth (GDP), livestock production (LPI), agriculture, forestry and fishing (AFF), renewable energy consumption (REN), and urbanization (URB) influence carbon emissions is essential for designing effective climate policies in rapidly developing economies such as India. This study examines the long-run and short-run effects of these factors on CO₂ emissions in India during 1990–2024 using the Dual Adjustment Approach (DAA) and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The DAA framework decomposes variables into permanent (trend) and transitory (cyclical) components, allowing a simultaneous assessment of long-run equilibrium and short-run dynamics. Both DAA and ARDL models indicate that GDP and LPI increase CO₂ emissions in the long run, while REN reduces them. AFF exerts a weak effect on emissions compared with the other determinants. URB is associated with lower long-run emissions, supporting the urban efficiency hypothesis, but this depends on sustained infrastructure investment and policy support, rather than automatic results of current urbanization levels. The transitory component analysis shows that short-run fluctuations in GDP increase emissions, while the effects of the remaining variables are driven by long-run structural changes. The findings highlight the importance of expanding renewable energy deployment, improving environmental efficiency in agricultural and livestock production systems, and promoting sustainable urban development to reduce carbon emissions in the case of India. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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24 pages, 1292 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture: The Role of Digital Inclusive Finance in Promoting Cultivated Land Use Efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta

by Qun Yan, Zhanyan Wang and Yi Jin

Sustainability 2026, 18(13), 6521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18136521 - 26 Jun 2026

Viewed by 395

Abstract

Improving cultivated land use efficiency (CLUE) is a crucial pathway to solve China’s food security challenges. In recent years, the development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) has transformed the economic effects of input and output in the cultivated land utilization process. Employing Yangtze River Delta as the experimental area, which represents one of China’s most densely populated regions with the most acute arable land scarcity per capita, this study utilized a super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model that incorporated undesirable outputs to measure CLUE using a balanced panel data of 25 prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Delta from 2011 to 2023. Additionally, this study employed panel regression analysis combined with a mediation effect model to examine the impact of DIF on CLUE. The findings are as follows. (1) CLUE exhibits an upward trend throughout the study period, with significant improvements noted in the northwest regions, and evolves into a spatial distribution of “high in the northwest and low in the south.” (2) DIF effectively enhances CLUE, supported by extensive robustness tests. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of DIF on CLUE varies systematically across contexts: it peaks in regions undergoing medium-level urbanization, remains most potent under extremely low credit availability, and is optimized by moderate bank outlet coverage. (4) Mechanism analysis demonstrates that the DIF positively influences CLUE by increasing fixed-asset investment in the primary industry. Based on these results, this study provides targeted policy recommendations for digital inclusive finance to serve the high-quality development of cultivated land utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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21 pages, 1291 KB

Open AccessArticle

Farmers’ Participation in Voluntary Carbon Markets: An Integrated TPB–COM-B Analysis in Thailand

by Sukanya Sereenonchai, Noppol Arunrat and Patcharin Sae-heng

Sustainability 2026, 18(12), 6075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18126075 - 12 Jun 2026

Viewed by 449

Abstract

The voluntary carbon market (VCM) has emerged as a promising mechanism for climate mitigation; however, farmer participation in developing countries remains limited. This study combines the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Capability–Opportunity–Motivation–Behavior (COM-B) framework to investigate factors associated with Thai farmers’ intention and self-reported stage of participation in VCM. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 240 farmers across multiple crop systems in Thailand and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model explained substantial variance in intention and behavior (R² = 0.610 and 0.555, respectively), although PLS-Predict indicated limited predictive performance. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) showed the strongest positive association with reported participation behavior (β = 0.493, p < 0.001), followed by intention (β = 0.343, p < 0.001). Access to extension and technical support (AES) was positively associated with intention (β = 0.624, p < 0.001) and PBC (β = 0.338, p < 0.001). Knowledge was positively associated with PBC (β = 0.324, p < 0.001) but negatively associated with intention (β = −0.106, p = 0.045). No significant association was observed between attitude and intention; however, subjective norms were negatively associated with intention (β = −0.336, p < 0.001). Indirect associations through intention and PBC were also observed. Overall, the findings suggest that capability-, opportunity-, and trust-related factors are associated with farmers’ reported participation in VCM and may inform the design of future policies and support programs. Although the model demonstrated useful explanatory capability, its predictive performance was limited, indicating that the findings should be interpreted primarily as explanatory rather than predictive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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24 pages, 763 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Digital Literacy Shapes Farmers’ Adoption of Green Agricultural Technologies: Evidence from Specialty Crop Producers in Jilin Province

by Weijie Chen and Yuejie Zhang

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4919; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104919 - 14 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 378

Abstract

In the context of accelerating digital transformation and increasing pressure for sustainable agriculture, understanding how digital capabilities shape farmers’ green production behavior has become a critical issue. This study examines how digital literacy influences the adoption of green agricultural technologies as well as the mechanisms driving this relationship, based on survey data collected from 422 ginseng farmers in Jilin Province, China. An ordered Probit model is employed, complemented by an instrumental variable approach and mediation analysis to ensure robust causal inference. The findings indicate that digital literacy plays a significant role in encouraging farmers to adopt green production technologies, and this effect remains robust after addressing potential endogeneity issues. Mechanism analysis indicates that digital literacy mainly functions by strengthening farmers’ multi-dimensional technological cognition, including technological attribute cognition, technological ecological cognition, technological economic cognition, and technological risk cognition, while the information cost channel is not supported. Interestingly, heterogeneity analysis further shows that the impact of digital literacy remains relatively consistent across different generations, farm sizes, and levels of cooperative participation. This finding suggests that digital literacy functions as a “foundational and universally effective capability”, particularly in highly specialized and regionally concentrated agricultural systems such as ginseng production. This study contributes to the existing literature by shifting the focus from information access to cognitive empowerment in explaining green technology adoption, and by refining the understanding of the boundary conditions under which digital literacy exerts uniform effects. The findings provide important implications for digital rural development policies aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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34 pages, 1334 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sci-Tech Finance to Improve Agricultural Production Efficiency: Empirical Evidence from Pilot Policies

by Juan Yin and Jin Guo

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4910; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104910 - 14 May 2026

Viewed by 391

Abstract

China’s agricultural development not only has the weakness of insufficient technological investment but also faces the constraint of a shortage of financial support. In this context, promoting the combination of technology with finance in agricultural production activities is very important for China’s agricultural modernization. Based on two batches of “the pilot policy for promoting the combination of science and technology with finance”, this paper investigates the policy effect and mechanism of sci-tech finance on agricultural production efficiency. The results show that sci-tech finance policy is able to promote the improvement of agricultural production efficiency significantly in pilot areas compared with non-pilot areas, and this treatment effect continues to expand over a long period after the implementation of the policy. In terms of space partition, the agricultural support effect of sci-tech finance not only shows regional heterogeneity but also performs better in cities with weaker technological innovation ability and a lower degree of financial deepening. The “offering fuel in snowy weather” effect on non-central cities is stronger than the “adding brilliance to its present splendor” effect on central cities. Lastly, the sci-tech finance policy successfully builds a long-term mechanism for policies to take effect at multiple points and continues to exert force from three aspects: accelerating the process of agricultural mechanization, promoting the development of modern rural industries and improving the human capital of farmers. The research conclusions provide policy recommendations for promoting science and technology finance from policy pilot to comprehensive promotion, and promoting and implementing the construction of agricultural power, for example, by “strengthening agricultural science and technology and equipment support” and “improving [the] rural financial service system” proposed by the report of the 20th National Congress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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19 pages, 1103 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Auditing in State-Owned Agricultural Enterprises: A TIGEM Pilot on the Energy–Water Nexus

by Aysegul Demir Yildirim and Kasirga Yildirak

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4357; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094357 - 28 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1003

Abstract

State-owned agricultural enterprises face intensifying sustainability pressures, yet conventional Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures often mask site-specific operational risks. This study develops a Measurement–Reporting–Verification (MRV)-oriented sustainability internal audit framework for the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM) and pilots it across three enterprises (Ceylanpinar, Gozlu, and Karacabey). Utilizing a design-science approach, the model integrates 88 indicators derived from international frameworks (GRI, B Corp, IRIS+) and EU Green Deal requirements with a qualitative risk taxonomy. The results demonstrate that aggregate sustainability scores can obscure critical “Red Zone” risks. Ceylanpinar’s performance is severely constrained by an energy–water nexus (339.2 GWh irrigation demand vs. 263 mm rainfall), while Karacabey faces significant fossil fuel dependency and animal welfare challenges (9.2% calf mortality). Furthermore, the audit identifies tangible legal exposure in Ceylanpinar through 29 labor-related lawsuits linked to subcontracting. The study concludes that bridging the sustainability implementation gap requires a shift from symbolic disclosure to operationalized internal control. These findings provide a preliminary and context-specific roadmap for internal auditors to enhance institutional resilience against climate exposure and global carbo border adjustments (CBAM) in the agricultural sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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12 pages, 425 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Agricultural Practices on Economic Sustainability: A Gender-Based Approach in Ambato

by Tania Morales-Molina, Mery Ruiz-Guajala, Cesar Mayorga-Abril and Evelyn Amancha-Criollo

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4185; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094185 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 485

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth examination of the association between sustainable agricultural practices and economic sustainability among small-scale farmers in the canton of Ambato, Ecuador, with attention to gender differences in the adoption of specific practices. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative design and structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data from 150 farmers. The results demonstrate that intention to adopt sustainable practices was positively associated with economic sustainability (β = 0.96), and perceived benefits also showed a positive relationship with economic sustainability (β = 0.29). Conversely, agricultural practices showed a negative direct structural coefficient with economic sustainability (β = −0.29), thereby suggesting that the short-term costs of implementation may reduce immediate economic returns in resource-constrained contexts. Descriptive results indicated differences in the adoption of specific practices by sex, especially in crop rotation, biological pest control, and efficient irrigation, although the evidence for gender differences in economic sustainability was mainly descriptive rather than inferential. The model showed acceptable fit (CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.917, RMSEA = 0.065). Overall, these findings contribute empirical evidence from an Andean agricultural context and suggest that training, technical support, and transition-cost reduction policies are necessary to strengthen the economic viability of sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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30 pages, 1042 KB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Credit, Farm Performance and Technology Adoption Under Credit Rationing in Peru

by Pablo Rituay, Carlos Aldea, Jose Otoya-Barrenechea, María Adita Tolentino Soriano, Ligia García and Jonathan-Alberto Campos Trigoso

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062761 - 12 Mar 2026

Viewed by 895

Abstract

This paper examines the role of agricultural credit in shaping farm performance and technology-related outcomes in Peru, using nationally representative microdata from the Encuesta Nacional Agropecuaria (ENA). In a context characterized by credit rationing and institutional constraints, access to finance may influence agricultural income, productivity, and the adoption of improved practices through multiple direct and indirect channels. To address the non-random allocation of credit, the analysis employs a quasi-experimental framework that combines propensity score trimming, block-based common support restrictions, entropy balancing, and doubly robust treatment-effect estimators (IPWRA and AIPW). Descriptive evidence documents substantial heterogeneity in credit sources, loan uses, and rejection reasons, highlighting structural barriers related to collateral, land tenure, and risk. Regression results on the balanced sample indicate positive and statistically significant associations between credit access and both real agricultural income and land productivity. However, estimated treatment effects are sensitive to the estimation strategy: while IPWRA estimates suggest economically meaningful gains among credit recipients, AIPW estimates are smaller and not always statistically distinguishable from zero. Exploratory results further suggest that credit access is positively associated with technology adoption and managerial capacity, consistent with, but not identifying, a potential association between credit approval and technological practices. Overall, the findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence showing that the impacts of agricultural credit are modest, heterogeneous, and context dependent. From a sustainability perspective, the results underscore the importance of complementary interventions—such as land tenure security, risk management instruments, and tailored financial services—in enhancing the effectiveness of rural credit programs in agricultural systems characterized by imperfect markets and high production risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability in Agricultural Systems: Policy, Evaluation and Market Insights)

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