Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use: Advances in Research Methods and Applications

Abstract submission deadline

30 October 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

31 December 2025

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The topic “Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use: Advances in Research Methods and Applications” explores innovative strategies, methodologies, and applications to enhance agricultural resource efficiency while addressing food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With increasing pressures on land, water, energy, and labor due to climate change and population growth, this topic highlights cutting-edge practices and advanced research methods for sustainable agriculture.

We welcome contributions that investigate novel approaches, interdisciplinary methods, and real-world applications to tackle agricultural resource challenges. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Efficiency in agricultural resource use (land, water, energy, labor);
• Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture;
• Precision agriculture and digital farming technologies;
• AI, machine learning, and smart irrigation in agriculture;
• Water and soil resource management for sustainability and efficiency;
• Renewable energy integration and circular economy approaches;
• Sustainable supply chains, economic strategies, and governance frameworks;
• Policy innovation, sustainability metrics, and life cycle assessments.

The submission deadline is 31 December 2025, with papers being published on an ongoing basis. Submissions are welcome at any time. 

We look forward to your contributions regarding this impactful topic.

Prof. Dr. Goodness C. Aye
Prof. Dr. Marthinus C. Breitenbach
Prof. Dr. Mulatu Fekadu Zerihun
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	6.3	2011	19.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Economies economies	2.1	4.7	2013	21.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Resources resources	3.6	7.2	2012	26.1 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Technologies technologies	4.2	8.5	2013	21.1 Days	CHF 1600	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Agriculture Economies Resources Sustainability Technologies

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40 pages, 1407 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Agricultural Socialized Services in Mitigating Rural Labor Shortages: A Multi-Crop Analysis of Production Performance

by Zhixiong Liu, Yuheng Wei, Ruofan Liao and Jianxu Liu

Agriculture 2025, 15(11), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15111151 - 27 May 2025

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Abstract

China’s agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges due to rapid urbanization. The rural labor force is declining, and the agricultural workforce is aging significantly. This labor shortage, worsened by the exodus of agricultural technicians, threatens food security and agricultural sustainability. This study analyzes data [...] Read more.

China’s agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges due to rapid urbanization. The rural labor force is declining, and the agricultural workforce is aging significantly. This labor shortage, worsened by the exodus of agricultural technicians, threatens food security and agricultural sustainability. This study analyzes data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2022 using a transcendental logarithmic production function. The research examines how agricultural socialized services can alleviate rural labor shortages by improving production efficiency. It also investigates these services’ impact on labor input intensity and grain yield across different crops and regions. The results show that socialized agricultural services effectively promote food production. At the national level, these services can promote a 54.4% increase in total crop production. Agricultural socialized services are gradually developing toward labor substitution. The significant negative interaction coefficient between services and labor confirms this substitution effect. The input–output elasticity of these services is positive for total crop and cereal crop production in major production areas. It also shows positive elasticity for total crop and tuber crop production in non-major production areas. The national-level “service-labor” technical elasticity of substitution maintains values above zero, averaging 0.37 across regions, offering an effective solution to agricultural labor shortages. This study identifies a threshold effect where these services’ impact on food production significantly increases with business scale expansion. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing agricultural socialized services through strengthened service systems, differentiated regional strategies, technological innovation, and comprehensive support policies. Such targeted approaches would enhance substitution effects and service efficiency, addressing labor shortages and boosting food production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use: Advances in Research Methods and Applications)

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16 pages, 1106 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Factors Enhancing Marketability of Coastal Agricultural Products in Rural South Africa

by Ifeanyi Mbukanma, Vikela Liso Sithole and Yiseyon Sunday Hosu

Economies 2025, 13(5), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13050141 - 20 May 2025

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Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of marketing agricultural products in the coastal regions of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, through an analysis of existing literature and empirical data collected from selected participants to model farmers’ marketing experiences and identifies an improvement pathway. This [...] Read more.

This study explores the dynamics of marketing agricultural products in the coastal regions of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, through an analysis of existing literature and empirical data collected from selected participants to model farmers’ marketing experiences and identifies an improvement pathway. This study aims to enhance the understanding of the factors that inhibit and enable the marketability of coastal agricultural products. Employing a causal relationship research methodology, this paper reviewed the current situation through a bottom-up approach, providing valuable insights for policymakers, interventionists, researchers, and practitioners who aim to support rural coastal agricultural growth and livelihood enhancement in the Eastern Cape. Data were collected from 215 participants from the sample of 4212 registered coastal small-scale farms in the Eastern Cape through a multi-staged sampling procedure. The findings through Path analysis empirically revealed that technological resources, efficient supply chain systems, supportive government policies, and unlimited market access significantly enhance the marketability of coastal agricultural products. The study recommends addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, stringent regulatory requirements, and the effects of climate change, which is essential for advancing the marketability of coastal agricultural products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use: Advances in Research Methods and Applications)

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27 pages, 1627 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Agro-Tourism Integration and County-Level Sustainability: Mechanisms and Regional Heterogeneity in China

by Qi Wang, Xianhui Dang, Ting Song, Guangpeng Xiao and Yongqin Lu

Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4549; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104549 - 16 May 2025

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Abstract

The agro-tourism integration model combines agricultural production, rural life, and tourism experiences, bringing new opportunities for the sustainable development of counties. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of the agro-tourism integration on the sustainable development of counties, reveal the [...] Read more.

The agro-tourism integration model combines agricultural production, rural life, and tourism experiences, bringing new opportunities for the sustainable development of counties. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of the agro-tourism integration on the sustainable development of counties, reveal the underlying mechanisms and regional heterogeneity effects, and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of rural revitalization policies. Based on panel data from 1749 counties in China from 2008 to 2021, an empirical test using a propensity score matching-difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) model found that the National Policy on Leisure Agriculture and Rural Tourism Demonstration Counties significantly enhances the level of sustainable development in counties through three mechanisms: stimulating consumer demand, attracting capital inflows, and optimizing industrial structure. Moreover, the effect is more pronounced in the western regions of China. In terms of theory, this study shifts the focus to the county level, constructing a comprehensive measurement index system for county-level sustainable development. It analyzes the mechanisms through which the integration of agriculture and tourism operates and verifies the policy effects. In terms of practice, policy implementations are proposed to adopt a multi-pronged approach to increase agricultural-tourism consumption; to promote government-enterprise cooperation and introduce long-term funding; and to develop the service industry in a location-specific manner to continuously optimize the industrial structure. This study indicates that agro-tourism integration is an effective path for the sustainable development of counties. The policy design needs to take into account the differences in regional resource endowments. This has important implications for promoting county-level development in a location-specific manner under the rural revitalization strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use: Advances in Research Methods and Applications)

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