IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/agecon/v56y2025i3p327-335.html

Agricultural Economics and the Transformation Toward Sustainable Agri‐Food Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Matin Qaim
  • Martin C. Parlasca

Abstract

Agri‐food systems around the world are facing a sustainability crisis. Addressing the many interconnected issues requires fundamental transformations, moving beyond incremental improvements of various details toward broader and more profound systemic change. In this article, which is also the introduction to the ICAE 2024 Special Issue, we explore the role of our agricultural economics profession in shaping these transformation processes, examining how our discipline contributes to understanding agri‐food system dynamics and identifying opportunities to enhance sustainability and resilience. We argue that agricultural economists can and should play a more central role in international agri‐food systems research and policy initiatives by integrating multiple sustainability goals and metrics with rigorous economic analysis. Interdisciplinary cooperation with colleagues in agronomy, nutrition, environmental sciences, social and political sciences, and other relevant fields is necessary, as is the further development and use of data‐driven approaches. However, equally important is maintaining strong theoretical foundations to develop hypotheses and understand behavioral mechanisms. Close exchange with nonacademic stakeholders at all system levels is key for policy relevance. We also provide an overview of the plenary papers presented at ICAE 2024 on various facets of agri‐food system transformation and sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Matin Qaim & Martin C. Parlasca, 2025. "Agricultural Economics and the Transformation Toward Sustainable Agri‐Food Systems," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 327-335, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:agecon:v:56:y:2025:i:3:p:327-335
    DOI: 10.1111/agec.70023
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.70023
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/agec.70023?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David R Just, 2023. "On the policy relevance of agricultural economics," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(4), pages 1256-1276.
    2. Elinor Benami & Anne Carroll & Kent D. Messer & Wei Zhang & Michael Cecil, 2025. "Seeding Change: Growing Insights From Four Programs to Support Climate‐Resilient Soil and Water Conservation in US Agriculture," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 457-473, May.
    3. David Zilberman, 2019. "Agricultural Economics as a Poster Child of Applied Economics: Big Data & Big Issues," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 101(2), pages 353-364.
    4. Soumya Balasubramanya, 2025. "Groundwater Use in Agriculture in South Asia: The Role of Technology," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 474-484, May.
    5. Agnes R. Quisumbing, 2025. "From Bargaining Power to Empowerment: Measuring the Unmeasurable," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 419-430, May.
    6. Thomas Reardon, 2025. "Rocking the Boat to Change the Debate: Identifying and Testing Conventional Wisdom," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 543-553, May.
    7. Yumei Zhang & Jingjing Wang & Shenggen Fan, 2025. "Healthy and Sustainable Diets in China and Their Global Implications," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 349-359, May.
    8. Hope Michelson, 2025. "Navigating the Measurement Frontier: New Insights Into Small Farm Realities," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 526-542, May.
    9. Louise O Fresco & Floor Geerling-Eiff & Anne-Charlotte Hoes & Lan van Wassenaer & Krijn J Poppe & Jack G A J van der Vorst, 2021. "Sustainable food systems: do agricultural economists have a role? [Interdisciplinary collaboration between natural and social sciences–status and trends exemplified in groundwater research]," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 48(4), pages 694-718.
    10. Gerald Schwarz & Francesco Vanni & David Miller, 2021. "The role of transdisciplinary research in the transformation of food systems," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-4, December.
    11. Schneider Lecy, Kate & Remans, Roseline & Bekele, Tesfaye Hailu & DestanAytekin, Destan & Conforti, Piero & Dasgupta, Shouro & DeClerck, Fabrice & Dewi, Deviana & Fabi, Carola & Gephart, Jessica A. & , 2025. "Governance and resilience as entry points for transforming food systems in the countdown to 2030," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 361013, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    12. Headey, Derek & Hirvonen, Kalle & Alderman, Harold, 2024. "Estimating the cost and affordability of healthy diets: How much do methods matter?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    13. Bai, Yan & Alemu, Robel & Block, Steven A. & Headey, Derek & Masters, William A., 2021. "Cost and affordability of nutritious diets at retail prices: Evidence from 177 countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    14. Thomas W. Hertel, 2025. "Economic Analysis of Global and Local Policies for Respecting Planetary Boundaries," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 336-348, May.
    15. Ramesh Chand, 2025. "Reimagining Agriculture for Growth, Poverty, Nutrition, and Sustainability," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 485-492, May.
    16. Christopher B. Barrett & Miguel I. Gόmez, 2025. "Fostering Healthy, Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Agri‐Food Value Chains," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 390-400, May.
    17. Calogero Carletto, 2021. "Better data, higher impact: improving agricultural data systems for societal change [Correlated non-classical measurement errors, ‘second best’ policy inference, and the inverse size-productivity relationship in agriculture]," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 48(4), pages 719-740.
    18. Bhagyashree Katare & Xuejian Wang & Shuoli Zhao & Jacqueline Yenerall, 2025. "Novel Approaches to Analyze Consumer Behavior and Policies to Promote Sustainable Consumption," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 512-525, May.
    19. Ariel Ortiz-Bobea & Toby R. Ault & Carlos M. Carrillo & Robert G. Chambers & David B. Lobell, 2021. "Anthropogenic climate change has slowed global agricultural productivity growth," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(4), pages 306-312, April.
    20. Ruerd Ruben & Romina Cavatassi & Leslie Lipper & Eric Smaling & Paul Winters, 2021. "Towards food systems transformation—five paradigm shifts for healthy, inclusive and sustainable food systems," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(6), pages 1423-1430, December.
    21. Resnick, Danielle & Swinnen, Johan, 2023. "The political economy of food system transformation: Pathways to progress in a polarized world," IFPRI synopses 136909, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    22. Gaupp, F. & Ruggeri Laderchi, C. & Lotze-Campen, H. & DeClerck, F. & Bodirsky, B. L. & Lowder, S. & Popp, A. & Kanbur, R. & Edenhofer, O. & Nugent, R. & Fanzo, J. & Dietz, S. & Nordhagen, S. & Fan, S., 2021. "Food system development pathways for healthy, nature-positive and inclusive food systems," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113421, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    23. Marco Springmann & Michael Clark & Daniel Mason-D’Croz & Keith Wiebe & Benjamin Leon Bodirsky & Luis Lassaletta & Wim Vries & Sonja J. Vermeulen & Mario Herrero & Kimberly M. Carlson & Malin Jonell & , 2018. "Options for keeping the food system within environmental limits," Nature, Nature, vol. 562(7728), pages 519-525, October.
    24. Pan He & Giovanni Baiocchi & Klaus Hubacek & Kuishuang Feng & Yang Yu, 2018. "The environmental impacts of rapidly changing diets and their nutritional quality in China," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(3), pages 122-127, March.
    25. Sonia Akter, 2025. "Climate Resilient Development for Agriculture and Pathways for Gender Inclusivity," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 446-456, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Abay, Kibrom A. & Wondale, Meseret & Korir, Josphat K. & Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane & Araya, Mesele & Breisinger, Clemens, 2025. "The landscape of youth engagement in labor markets in Africa: Are youth driving structural transformation?," GSSP working papers 2382, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Abay, Kibrom A. & Wondale, Meseret & Korir, Josphat K. & Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane & Araya, Mesele & Breisinger, Clemens, 2025. "The landscape of youth engagement in labor markets in Africa: Are youth driving structural transformation?," IFPRI discussion papers 2382, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ameye, Hannah & Hülsen, Vivien & Glatzel, Katrin & Laar, Amos & Qaim, Matin, 2025. "Urbanizing food environments in Africa: Challenges and opportunities for improving accessibility, affordability, convenience, and desirability of healthy diets," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    2. Tobias Dalhaus & Linda Steinhübel & Bernhard Dalheimer & Liesbeth Colen, 2024. "The future of research on sustainable food systems: Building an early‐career network of agricultural economists in Europe," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(2), pages 319-324, April.
    3. Yicong Li & Qiran Zhao & Tianchang Zhai & Wei Si, 2023. "Structural transition of protein intake in urban China: Stage characteristics and driving forces," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(S1), pages 1559-1577, December.
    4. Wu, Qi & Liu, Shuyun & Fan, Shenggen, 2024. "Aging Labor Force, Climate Change and the Path to Green Total Factor Productivity in Chinese Agriculture," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343729, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Patrick Jeetze & Isabelle Weindl & Justin Andrew Johnson & Pasquale Borrelli & Panos Panagos & Tobias Meyer & Florian Humpenöder & Pascal Sauer & Jan Philipp Dietrich & Hermann Lotze-Campen & Alexande, 2025. "Conservation outcomes of dietary transitions across different values of nature," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(10), pages 1130-1142, October.
    6. Martin C. Parlasca & Matin Qaim, 2022. "Meat Consumption and Sustainability," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 14(1), pages 17-41, October.
    7. Ferguson, Shon & Ubilava, David, 2022. "Global commodity market disruption and the fallout," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 66(04), January.
    8. Paul Fesenfeld, Lukas & Maier, Maiken & Brazzola, Nicoletta & Stolz, Niklas & Sun, Yixian & Kachi, Aya, 2023. "How information, social norms, and experience with novel meat substitutes can create positive political feedback and demand-side policy change," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    9. Gilbert, Rachel & Costlow, Leah & Matteson, Julia & Rauschendorfer, Jakob & Krivonos, Ekaterina & Block, Steven A. & Masters, William A., 2024. "Trade policy reform, retail food prices and access to healthy diets worldwide," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    10. Jing Yang & Lei Gao & Qi Liu & Zhaoxia Guo, 2024. "Assessing environmental impacts of response strategies for sustainable food system transformation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2435-2453, June.
    11. Víctor Martínez-Cano & Iker Etxano & Chiara De Tomassi & María José Sanz & Inmaculada Batalla, 2026. "Vulnerability and food insecurity in the light of climate change: a comprehensive framework for the household context," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 179(2), pages 1-23, February.
    12. repec:ags:aaea22:343729 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Yuan, Mingkang & Hu, Jiabei & Kader, Gavin & Lei, Peng, 2026. "Dynamic optimization of agricultural resources within a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem Nexus: Uncertainty assessment of carbon and water footprints, and clean energy in the Minjiang River Basin, Western China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 209(PA).
    14. Irene Blanco-Gutiérrez & Consuelo Varela-Ortega & Rhys Manners, 2020. "Evaluating Animal-Based Foods and Plant-Based Alternatives Using Multi-Criteria and SWOT Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-26, October.
    15. Vermunt, D.A. & Wojtynia, N. & Hekkert, M.P. & Van Dijk, J. & Verburg, R. & Verweij, P.A. & Wassen, M. & Runhaar, H., 2022. "Five mechanisms blocking the transition towards ‘nature-inclusive’ agriculture: A systemic analysis of Dutch dairy farming," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    16. Arru Brunella & Delrio Federico & Furesi Roberto & Pulina Pietro & Fabio Albino Madau, 2025. "Role of environmental, social and governance disclosure in business profitability and cost of debt: An analysis of small Southern Italian agri‐food businesses," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 856-895, July.
    17. Alexander C. Abajian & Tamma Carleton & Kyle C. Meng & Olivier Deschênes, 2025. "Quantifying the global climate feedback from energy-based adaptation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    18. Hill, Genia & Zurek, Monika & Obersteiner, Michael, 2026. "From local landscapes to global: A cross-scale and cross-level framework for a more just food systems transformation," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    19. Li, Yilin & Chen, Bin & Li, Chaohui & Li, Zhi & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Energy perspective of Sino-US trade imbalance in global supply chains," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    20. Federica Alfani & Vasco Molini & Giacomo Pallante & Alessandro PalmaGran, 2024. "Job displacement and reallocation failure. Evidence from climate shocks in Morocco," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 51(1), pages 1-31.
    21. Birgit Kopainsky & Anita Frehner & Adrian Müller, 2020. "Sustainable and healthy diets: Synergies and trade‐offs in Switzerland," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(6), pages 908-927, November.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:agecon:v:56:y:2025:i:3:p:327-335. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/iaaeeea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.