IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i5p7429-7440.html

Assessing Sustainable Agriculture in the EU/Baltic Countries Using Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and EUROSTAT Data Using Stakeholder's View

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmad Bathaei
  • Dalia Streimikiene

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to provide an evaluation of sustainable agricultural development in the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia), with contextual references to EU sustainability frameworks such as the Green Deal and Common Agricultural Policy. It uses MCDM approaches, namely the TOPSIS approach, in combination with statistical data obtained from EUROSTAT together with the survey data derived from experts. The methodology of the assessment of sustainability is provided through the environmental, economic, and social indicators. Soil health, water usage, fertilizer pollution, biodiversity, and the area of organic agriculture are chosen as indicators and extended by assigning a priority level according to the importance of sustainable agriculture. The study hence reaffirms that soil health is the most significant factor affecting crop production in the region and, as such, the need to embark on soil conservation measures. Utilization of water and careful control of fertilizer polluting the water is a major factor in future sustainability. This paper integrates theoretical information with empirical findings as a basis for comprehensive and evidence‐based recommendations and recommendations concerning the sustainable development of agriculture in the EU and the Baltic states may be provided. These findings highlight the experts' prioritization of environmental concerns—particularly soil health, water efficiency, and fertilizer pollution—as central to sustainable agriculture in the Baltic region.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad Bathaei & Dalia Streimikiene, 2025. "Assessing Sustainable Agriculture in the EU/Baltic Countries Using Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and EUROSTAT Data Using Stakeholder's View," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(5), pages 7429-7440, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:5:p:7429-7440
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3529
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3529
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.3529?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. Ngadi Ngadi & Andy Ahmad Zaelany & Ade Latifa & Dewi Harfina & Devi Asiati & Bayu Setiawan & Fitranita Ibnu & Triyono Triyono & Zanterman Rajagukguk, 2023. "Challenge of Agriculture Development in Indonesia: Rural Youth Mobility and Aging Workers in Agriculture Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Peter Blokland & Genserik Reniers, 2020. "Safety Science, a Systems Thinking Perspective: From Events to Mental Models and Sustainable Safety," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Bwambale, Erion & Abagale, Felix K. & Anornu, Geophrey K., 2022. "Smart irrigation monitoring and control strategies for improving water use efficiency in precision agriculture: A review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    4. Justas Streimikis & Ahmad Bathaei & Dalia Štreimikienė, 2024. "Sustainability assessment of the agriculture sector using best worst method: Case study of Baltic states," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 5611-5626, October.
    5. Rita Lankauskienė & Vitalija Simonaitytė & Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė & Jerker Johnson, 2022. "Addressing the European Green Deal with Smart Specialization Strategies in the Baltic Sea Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Richard S. Cottrell & Kirsty L. Nash & Benjamin S. Halpern & Tomas A. Remenyi & Stuart P. Corney & Aysha Fleming & Elizabeth A. Fulton & Sara Hornborg & Alexandra Johne & Reg A. Watson & Julia L. Blan, 2019. "Food production shocks across land and sea," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(2), pages 130-137, February.
    7. Emilia Herman, 2024. "Sustainable Agriculture and Its Impact on the Rural Development in EU Countries: A Multivariate Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, June.
    8. Anna Murawska & Piotr Prus, 2021. "The Progress of Sustainable Management of Ammonia Emissions from Agriculture in European Union States Including Poland—Variation, Trends, and Economic Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    9. Jiangning Cao & Yasir Ahmed Solangi, 2023. "Analyzing and Prioritizing the Barriers and Solutions of Sustainable Agriculture for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    10. Justas Streimikis & Tomas Baležentis, 2020. "Agricultural sustainability assessment framework integrating sustainable development goals and interlinked priorities of environmental, climate and agriculture policies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1702-1712, November.
    11. Rafael Celaya & Luis M. M. Ferreira & José M. Lorenzo & Noemí Echegaray & Santiago Crecente & Emma Serrano & Juan Busqué, 2022. "Livestock Management for the Delivery of Ecosystem Services in Fire-Prone Shrublands of Atlantic Iberia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    12. Zhiguo Wang & Junbin Wang & Guoping Zhang & Zhixiong Wang, 2021. "Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Service for Sustainable Agricultural Development Using a Hybrid Entropy and TOPSIS Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Yeboah, Samuel, 2023. "Unlocking the Potential of Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries: Enhancing Resource Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability," MPRA Paper 118215, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 26 Jul 2023.
    2. Puiu-Lucian Georgescu & Nicoleta Barbuta-Misu & Monica Laura Zlati & Costinela Fortea & Valentin Marian Antohi, 2025. "Quantifying the Performance of European Agriculture Through the New European Sustainability Model," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-29, January.
    3. Yeboah, Samuel, 2023. "Unlocking the Potential of Technological Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries: Enhancing Resource Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability," MPRA Paper 118216, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 04 Aug 2023.
    4. Irena Krisciukaitiene & Ahmad Bathaei, 2025. "Developing a tailored sustainable supply chain framework for dairy SMEs in Lithuania using Best-Worst Method," Transformations and Sustainability, Centre for Productivity and Sustainability Analysis, vol. 1(1), pages 43-62.
    5. Ieva Knoknerienė & Rolandas Bleizgys & Vilma Naujokienė, 2025. "Surface Moisture Control for Sustainable Manure Management: Reducing Ammonia Emissions and Preserving Nutrients," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Idiano D'Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi & Ilhan Ozturk, 2023. "The sustainable development of mobility in the green transition: Renewable energy, local industrial chain, and battery recycling," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 840-852, April.
    7. Imran Ali Lakhiar & Haofang Yan & Chuan Zhang & Guoqing Wang & Bin He & Beibei Hao & Yujing Han & Biyu Wang & Rongxuan Bao & Tabinda Naz Syed & Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary & Md. Rakibuzzaman, 2024. "A Review of Precision Irrigation Water-Saving Technology under Changing Climate for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency, Crop Yield, and Environmental Footprints," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-40, July.
    8. Abu Samad, Muhammad Faiz & Zakaria, Muhammad Ramziuddin & Phang, Lai-Yee & Ibrahim, Mohamad Faizal & Alitheen, Noorjahan Banu & Osman, Mohd Azuraidi & Abd Gani, Shafinaz & Lee, Myeong Eun & Lee, Kyung, 2026. "Feasibility assessment of agricultural biomass residues in Malaysia and Asia for fermentable sugars (biosugars) feedstock," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PE).
    9. Verburg, René W. & Verberne, Emma & Negro, Simona O., 2022. "Accelerating the transition towards sustainable agriculture: The case of organic dairy farming in the Netherlands," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    10. Ruiqi Zhang & Chunguang Hu & Yucheng Sun, 2024. "Decoding the Characteristics of Ecosystem Services and the Scale Effect in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration: Insights for Planning and Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-26, September.
    11. Benedict Belobo Ateba & Prince Chuwuneme Enwereji, 2024. "The Resource Curse in the Gulf Region: Charting a Path for Long-term Economic Sustainability," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(5), pages 259-270, September.
    12. George Van Voorn & Geerten Hengeveld & Jan Verhagen, 2020. "An agent based model representation to assess resilience and efficiency of food supply chains," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, November.
    13. Krzysztof Piotr Pawłowski & Gabriela Sołtysiak, 2024. "The Potential Impact of the European Green Deal on Farm Production in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-23, December.
    14. Sun, Xuguang & Zhang, Baoyuan & Dai, Menglei & Jing, Cuijiao & Ma, Kai & Tang, Boyi & Li, Kejiang & Dang, Hongkai & Gu, Limin & Zhen, Wenchao & Gu, Xiaohe, 2024. "Accurate irrigation decision-making of winter wheat at the filling stage based on UAV hyperspectral inversion of leaf water content," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    15. Yuan-Wei Du & Yi-Pin Fan, 2023. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Agricultural Sustainability Assessment: A Study across 30 Chinese Provinces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, June.
    16. Chen, Ning & Li, Xianyue & Shi, Haibin & Yan, Jianwen & Zhang, Yuehong & Hu, Qi, 2023. "Evaluating the effects of plastic film mulching duration on soil nitrogen dynamic and comprehensive benefit for corn (Zea mays L.) field," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    17. Dmitry Gromov & Thorsten Upmann, 2021. "Dynamics and Economics of Shallow Lakes: A Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-16, December.
    18. Taha Lahrech & Bochra Makhlouki & Younès Bekkar & Imane Bounadi & Rachid Harbouze & Nassreddine Maatala & Julien Burte, 2025. "Overcoming barriers to youth economic inclusion in rural Morocco: A case study of Daït Aoua," Post-Print hal-05182724, HAL.
    19. Guta Regasa Megerssa & Weyessa Garedew & Adugna Eneyew Bekele & Janina Grabs & Kristjan Jespersen, 2025. "How Do Institutions Shape the Resilience of the Ethiopian Coffee Sector Amidst the Pressures of Climate Change?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 7951-7973, December.
    20. Bilgili, Faik & Kocak, Emrah & Kuskaya, Sevda & Bulut, Umit, 2022. "Co-movements and causalities between ethanol production and corn prices in the USA: New evidence from wavelet transform analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).

    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:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:5:p:7429-7440. 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: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    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.