IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/agfoec/v12y2024i1d10.1186_s40100-024-00314-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Quantifying sustainability in the agri-food system: a comprehensive methodological framework and expert consensus approach

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco José Castillo-Díaz

    (University of Almeria
    University of Almeria)

  • Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña

    (University of Almeria)

  • María José López-Serrano

    (University of Almeria)

  • Francisco Camacho-Ferre

    (University of Almeria)

Abstract

Assessing the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of food production is imperative for aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and adhering to evolving regulatory and strategic frameworks. The absence of a standardized methodology for quantifying sustainability in the agri-food system value chain necessitates the development of an effective approach. This study proposes a comprehensive methodological framework for quantifying the sustainability of agriculture, livestock, and the agri-food industry. The proposed methodology is based on the consensus achieved by a panel of experts using the Delphi methodology. The study emphasizes the identification of activities requiring corrective measures to enhance sustainability within the circular economy principles. The proposed model incorporates 70 indicators, with a particular emphasis on environmental indicators, aligning with the consensus of the expert panel. The resulting composite indicator and the accompanying battery of indicators provide a nuanced understanding of agribusiness sustainability. The study's findings underscore the need for prioritizing environmental considerations in evaluating agribusiness sustainability. The proposed model facilitates the formulation of actionable plans to enhance the viability of agribusinesses, enabling their adaptation to the evolving social and political landscape. This adaptation is crucial in meeting the contemporary demand for a reduction in the environmental footprint associated with food production and transformation. The developed methodology contributes to the harmonization of sustainability assessment practices, fostering a more comprehensive and standardized approach across the agri-food sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco José Castillo-Díaz & Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña & María José López-Serrano & Francisco Camacho-Ferre, 2024. "Quantifying sustainability in the agri-food system: a comprehensive methodological framework and expert consensus approach," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:12:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-024-00314-w
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-024-00314-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40100-024-00314-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s40100-024-00314-w?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. Rigby, D. & Caceres, D., 2001. "Organic farming and the sustainability of agricultural systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 21-40, April.
    2. Norman Dalkey & Olaf Helmer, 1963. "An Experimental Application of the DELPHI Method to the Use of Experts," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 9(3), pages 458-467, April.
    3. Sam Moyo, 2011. "Land concentration and accumulation after redistributive reform in post-settler Zimbabwe," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(128), pages 257-276, June.
    4. Moutinho, José da Assunção & Fernandes, Gabriela & Rabechini, Roque, 2024. "Evaluation in design science: A framework to support project studies in the context of University Research Centres," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    5. Rajiv Pandey & ShashidharKumar Jha, 2012. "Climate vulnerability index - measure of climate change vulnerability to communities: a case of rural Lower Himalaya, India," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 487-506, June.
    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. Sanaz Pourfallah Asadabadi & Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi & Mehdi Vafakhah & Majid Delavar, 2025. "Significance of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus on the Watershed Health Status," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(5), pages 2217-2250, March.
    2. Gianni Betti & Francesca Gagliardi & Andrea Mecca & Angelo Riccaboni & Cristiana Tozzi, 2025. "Sustainability and Circularity of the Agri-food Systems: How to Measure It? A First Attempt on the Italian System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-17, April.

    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. Bokrantz, Jon & Skoogh, Anders & Berlin, Cecilia & Stahre, Johan, 2017. "Maintenance in digitalised manufacturing: Delphi-based scenarios for 2030," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 154-169.
    2. Seung-Jin Han & Won-Jae Lee & So-Hee Kim & Sang-Hoon Yoon & Hyunwoong Pyun, 2022. "Assessing Expected Long-term Benefits for the Olympic Games: Delphi-AHP Approach from Korean Olympic Experts," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.
    3. Prianto Budi Saptono & Gustofan Mahmud & Intan Pratiwi & Dwi Purwanto & Ismail Khozen & Muhamad Akbar Aditama & Siti Khodijah & Maria Eurelia Wayan & Rina Yuliastuty Asmara & Ferry Jie, 2023. "Development of Climate-Related Disclosure Indicators for Application in Indonesia: A Delphi Method Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-25, July.
    4. van Calker, Klaas Jan & Antink, Rudi H.J. Hooch & Beldman, Alfons C.G. & Mauser, Anniek, 2005. "Caring Dairy: A Sustainable Dairy Farming Initiative in Europe," 15th Congress, Campinas SP, Brazil, August 14-19, 2005 24234, International Farm Management Association.
    5. Marcos Ferasso & Miguel Blanco & Lydia Bares, 2021. "Territorial Analysis of the European Rural Development Funds (ERDF) as a Driving Factor of Ecological Agricultural Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Burton, Michael P. & Rigby, Dan & Young, Trevor, 2003. "Modelling the adoption of organic horticultural technology in the UK using Duration Analysis," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 47(01), pages 1-26, March.
    7. repec:plo:pone00:0178453 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Xinxin Liu & Xiaosheng Wang & Haiying Guo & Xiaojie An, 2021. "Benefit Allocation in Shared Water-Saving Management Contract Projects Based on Modified Expected Shapley Value," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(1), pages 39-62, January.
    9. Nibedita Mukherjee & Jean Huge & Farid Dahdouh-Guebas & Nico Koedam, 2014. "Ecosystem service valuations of mangrove ecosystems to inform decision making and future valuation exercises," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/217963, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    10. Seufert, Verena & Ramankutty, Navin & Mayerhofer, Tabea, 2017. "What is this thing called organic? – How organic farming is codified in regulations," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 10-20.
    11. Di Zio, Simone & Bolzan, Mario & Marozzi, Marco, 2021. "Classification of Delphi outputs through robust ranking and fuzzy clustering for Delphi-based scenarios," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    12. Sheida Abdoli & Farah Habib & Mohammad Babazadeh, 2018. "Making spatial development scenario for south of Bushehr province, Iran, based on strategic foresight," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 1293-1309, June.
    13. Shannon Li & Anne Honey & Francesca Coniglio & Peter Schaecken, 2022. "Mental Health Peer Worker Perspectives on Resources Developed from Lived Experience Research Findings: A Delphi Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.
    14. Abadi, Bijan & Yadollahi, Arash & Bybordi, Ahmad & Rahmati, Mehdi, 2020. "The discrimination of adopters and non-adopters of conservation agricultural initiatives in northwest Iran: Attitudinal, soil testing, and topographical modules," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    15. Alyami, Saleh. H. & Rezgui, Yacine & Kwan, Alan, 2013. "Developing sustainable building assessment scheme for Saudi Arabia: Delphi consultation approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 43-54.
    16. Petreski Marjan & Petreski Blagica & Tumanoska Despina & Narazani Edlira & Kazazi Fatush & Ognjanov Galjina & Jankovic Irena & Mustafa Arben & Kochovska Tereza, 2017. "The Size and Effects of Emigration and Remittances in the Western Balkans. A Forecasting Based on a Delphi Process," Comparative Southeast European Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 65(4), pages 679-695, December.
    17. Chen, Peng-Ting & Cheng, Joe Z. & Yu, Ya-Wen & Ju, Pei-Hung, 2014. "Mobile advertising setting analysis and its strategic implications," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 129-141.
    18. Liping Wang & Xiufeng Sun & Junru Yan & Meiru Xie & Hua Qin, 2025. "Quantitative Assessment of Age-Friendly Design in Mountainous Urban Community Parks Based on Nonlinear Models: An Empirical Study in Chongqing, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-27, April.
    19. Beatrice Dingha & Leah Sandler & Arnab Bhowmik & Clement Akotsen-Mensah & Louis Jackai & Kevin Gibson & Ronald Turco, 2019. "Industrial Hemp Knowledge and Interest among North Carolina Organic Farmers in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, May.
    20. Gafsi, Mohamed & Favreau, Jean-Luc, 2014. "Diversité des logiques de fonctionnement et durabilité des exploitations en agriculture biologique," Économie rurale, French Society of Rural Economics (SFER Société Française d'Economie Rurale), vol. 339(January-M).
    21. Roopam Shukla & Ankit Agarwal & Kamna Sachdeva & Juergen Kurths & P. K. Joshi, 2019. "Climate change perception: an analysis of climate change and risk perceptions among farmer types of Indian Western Himalayas," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 103-119, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    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:spr:agfoec:v:12:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-024-00314-w. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.