How to make a ‘Colourful World’

Overpopulation is a root cause that impedes food production and supply to the continuously growing population. Since agriculture is the primary source of food production, producers are inclined towards various unsustainable agriculture practices contributing to climate change. Therefore, sustainable agricultural practices have gained the spotlight to reduce the risk of climate change and increase crop yields. Specifically, South Asian countries take a significant hit with respect to agriculture and climate change because much of the population is earning their livelihood through agriculture. We conducted a comprehensive review to map different sustainable agriculture practices and understand how these practices impact climate change, the livelihood of farmers, and food security in South Asia. A systematic search carried out on PubMed (NCBI) and Scopus (Elsevier), resulted in the inclusion of 42 articles for analysis. The review identified agroforestry and organic farming as the most commonly used practices in the South Asian region, followed by zero tillage practices, use of hybrid seeds, residue and integrated pest management, and cropping systems. These sustainable agriculture practices ensure that sufficient food can be produced to feed the rising population with efficient use of natural resources. In addition, sustainable agriculture gains economic profitability for farmers and improved employment opportunities for women. Since sustainable agricultural practices are the best way forward, we recommend encouraging it by incentivizing the farmers. Due to contextual variations, future research can focus on identifying best practices for specific contexts.

Sustainable agricultural practices have been extensively used to reduce water pollution; however, the effectiveness of these practices may be significantly affected by climate change. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices in reducing sediment and nutrient export to rivers under future climate conditions, using the Soil & Water Assessment Tool in a Portuguese river basin exposed to high levels of agricultural pollution. In our study, filter strips demonstrated a significant mitigation effect on sediment and nutrient increases under simulated climate change conditions, with maximum sediment export depletion reaching 65% and the highest nutrient export depletion observed at 35%. The implementation of multiple sustainable practices resulted in the highest depletions, with a notable 71% depletion in sediment export and a 35% depletion in nutrient export. Additionally, our research underscores the crucial role of filter strips and multiple sustainable agricultural practices in mitigating the projected rise in nutrient concentrations during summer, given the effect of climate change on river discharge. Further studies exploring sustainable agricultural practices across different climates and watersheds can improve our understanding of their effectiveness for adaptation to climate change.

Sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) that lead to an increase in productivity are central to the acceleration of economic growth; this will alleviate poverty and help to overcome the recurrent food shortages that affect millions of households in Africa. However, the adoption rates of SAPs remain below expected levels. This paper analyzes the factors that facilitate or impede the probability and level of adoption of interrelated SAPs, using recent data of multiple plot-level observations. Multivariate and ordered probit models are applied to the modeling of adoption decisions by farm households facing multiple SAPs which can be adopted in various combinations. The results show that there is a significant correlation between SAPs, suggesting that adoptions of SAPs are interrelated. The analysis further shows that both the probability and the level of decisions to adopt SAPs are influenced by many factors: a household’s trust in government support, credit constraint, spouse education, rainfall and plot-level disturbances, household wealth, social capital and networks, including the number of traders known by a farmer in his vicinity, his participation in rural institutions, and the number of relatives he has inside and outside his village, labor availability, and plot and market access. These results imply that policy makers and development practitioners whose aims are to strengthen local institutions and service providers, maintain or increase household asset bases, and establish and strengthen social protection schemes, can speed up the adoption of SAPs.

Cotton farmers’ intention to adopt biochar as climate change adaptation and sustainable land management strategy in Benin

This comprehensive review explores sustainable farming practices in both Africa and the USA, shedding light on innovative approaches that address the challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and increasing global food demand. As agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economies of both regions, identifying and adopting sustainable practices is crucial for ensuring long-term food security and environmental health. In Africa, the review highlights the diverse array of sustainable farming innovations that have emerged to address the unique challenges faced by the continent. Agroecological practices, such as intercropping and agroforestry, have gained prominence for their ability to enhance soil fertility, conserve water, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, the integration of precision farming technologies, such as remote sensing and data analytics, is facilitating more efficient resource use and crop management. Community-based initiatives and farmer cooperatives are also proving instrumental in promoting sustainable practices while fostering social and economic resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties. In the USA, the review explores the evolution of sustainable farming practices in response to changing consumer preferences and the imperative to reduce agriculture's environmental footprint. Precision agriculture technologies, including GPS-guided tractors and sensor-based monitoring systems, are being widely adopted to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impacts. Agroecological principles are gaining traction, with a growing emphasis on regenerative agriculture practices that prioritize soil health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the integration of cover cropping and crop rotation strategies is enhancing resilience to pests and diseases, reducing the reliance on synthetic inputs. Comparative analysis reveals commonalities and differences in the adoption and adaptation of sustainable farming practices between Africa and the USA. The review emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts, knowledge exchange, and policy support to ensure the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices, promoting global food security and environmental sustainability.

Background: The world will need to feed a population of nearly nine billion by 2050 (Godfray, 2010). To do so agricultural systems will have to contend to with risks to soil and water resources and the impacts of climate change, including changing weather patterns, an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and increased pest and disease-related threats. These risks threaten the livelihoods of nearly 475 million smallholder farmers in the global south and pose a significant threat to the world's food and nutritional security (IPCC, 2022). Sustainable agricultural technologies and practices offer an innovative and holistic way of meeting food and nutrition needs of current and future generations while ensuring profitability, and environmental and social sustainability (Güven, 2023). Sustainable agriculture practices and technologies seek to transform and reorient agricultural systems to support food security while preserving natural capital including soil, water, and biodiversity, increase resilience to the impacts of climate change, and promote health, and social and economic equity (Brodt et al., 2011) By systematically integrating goals of sustainability along with economic profitability into the planning and development of agricultural systems, sustainable agriculture technology and practices aims to increase agricultural productivity, mitigate negative environmental impacts of agriculture while furthering social objectives. Women play a critical role in agricultural and food systems and often have higher work and time burdens and are less productive due to limited access to social and economic resources. The 2023 Status of Women in Agrifood Systems report by FAO estimates that if female farmers had the same access to productive resources as men, their productivity could increase by up to 30 per cent, reducing the number of hungry people in the world by 12 to 17 per cent. Recognizing existing gender inequalities and the vulnerability of women in agricultural systems is one of the goals of sustainable agriculture furthering goals of gender equity and women's empowerment. Studies show that sustainable agriculture technologies and practices have the potential to reshape gender dynamics, challenging existing gender norms by providing social and economic agency and empowerment. However, this depends on how particular needs, priorities, and realities of women are recognized and adequately addressed in the design and application of these technologies. Presently, there is limited evidence systematically assessing the appropriateness, accessibility and outcomes of sustainable agricultural technologies and practices for women and girls, as well as their effectiveness in addressing longer-term gender-equity goals. Evidence syntheses in this domain remains focused on gendered approaches within interventions or programs targeting women. We seek to broaden the perspective by focusing on how different sustainable agriculture technologies affect women's well-being, empowerment and gender equity even when women specifically are not targeted.

Climate change is posing significant challenges in the agricultural sector. While olive trees are well adopted to the mediterranean environment, olive oil production is being especially vulnerable due to its reliance on stable climatic conditions [1]. A recent example of drought and heatwaves in the previous two years slashed Spanish production and contributed to the doubling of olive oil prices [2]. Changes in temperature and precipitation are affecting olive tree cultivation by posing challenges in the flowering and growing season [3], as well as the soil moisture and the available water resources for irrigation.This study investigates the impacts of climate change on olive cultivation in Greece, by analyzing key climatic indicators relevant to olive cultivation, focusing on their historical trends and projected changes under mid-range (RCP4.5) and high-concentration (RCP8.5) scenarios. The analysis considers key indicators such as changes in the length of the dry season, the frequency of heat stress events, consecutive dry years, and shifts in critical flowering conditions (temperature, wind, and chilling accumulation). This research further explores soil management related sustainable agricultural practices to enhance crop resilience.This research develops representative climatic indicators and examines their evolution across multiple scenarios and time horizons to provide a comprehensive overview of the climate change challenges faced by Greek olive producers. The findings are aiming to inform the development of strategies for implementing sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resilience, ensuring the long-term viability of olive oil production in the context of climate change. [1] Kaniewski, D., Marriner, N., Morhange, C., Khater, C., Terral, J.F., Besnard, G., Otto, T., Luce, F., Couillebault, Q., Tsitsou, L. and Pourkerman, M., 2023. Climate change threatens olive oil production in the Levant. Nature Plants, 9(2), pp.219-227.[2] Reiley, L., 2023. Olive oil prices reach record highs as Spain's harvest is halved. The Washington Post, Oct. 6, 2023, pp.NA-NA.[3] Grillakis, M.G., Kapetanakis, E.G. and Goumenaki, E., 2022. Climate change implications for olive flowering in Crete, Greece: Projections based on historical data. Climatic Change, 175(1), p.7. This work is supported by MINERVA Ltd. under the research project “Assessment of climate change impacts on olive oil production and implementation of sustainable agricultural adaptation practices in Greece”.

Sustainable agriculture practices are essential for ensuring long-term food security, environmental health, and economic stability. This paper explores various agricultural methods, including Organic Farming, Conservation Tillage, Agro forestry, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Crop Rotation. Each practice is assessed based on its impact on soil health, yield increase, time to benefit realization, and market accessibility. Additionally, the effectiveness of these practices is evaluated using a weighted decision matrix to balance cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, security, and implementation complexity. The findings highlight that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers the most balanced performance across these criteria, while Agro forestry, despite its strong soil health benefits, presents significant challenges in implementation and benefit realization. The paper concludes with recommendations for selecting sustainable practices based on specific agricultural goals and constraints. Sustainable agriculture is pivotal in addressing the growing demands of global food production while preserving environmental integrity and promoting economic viability. As traditional farming methods face increasing scrutiny for their environmental impacts and resource inefficiencies, sustainable practices offer promising alternatives. This introduction outlines the key sustainable agriculture practices and their roles in enhancing agricultural sustainability. Organic Farming focuses on using natural inputs and processes to maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact. Conservation Tillage aims to minimize soil disturbance and erosion, enhancing soil structure and moisture retention. Agro forestry integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, promoting biodiversity and improving soil fertility. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, and chemical practices to manage pests sustainably. Crop Rotation involves alternating different crops in a sequence to improve soil health and reduce pest and disease pressures. To evaluate and compare sustainable agriculture practices, the Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method was employed. MOORA is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique that allows for the assessment of alternatives based on multiple conflicting criteria. This method is particularly useful for evaluating complex agricultural practices where multiple objectives need to be considered simultaneously. The significance of researching sustainable agriculture practices lies in addressing the critical challenges faced by modern agriculture, including environmental degradation, resource depletion, and the need for increased food security. As the global population continues to grow, there is an urgent need to develop and implement agricultural practices that not only enhance productivity but also ensure environmental sustainability and economic viability. Organic Farming, Conservation Tillage, Agro forestry, Integrated Pest Management, Crop Rotation.Soil Health Improvement (%),Yield Increase (%),Time to Benefit Realization (months), Market Accessibility (%). The results indicate that Integrated Pest Management achieved the highest rank, while Agro forestry had the lowest rank being attained. “The value of the dataset for Corporate SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES according to the moora Method, Integrated Pest Management achieves the highest ranking.”

Rice is a major staple crop and an important source of income for rural households in Pakistan. Its production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is challenged by rising input costs, climate variability, and limited institutional support, which undermine productivity and long-term sustainability. Sustainable farming practices (SFPs) offer opportunities to improve resource efficiency and farm profitability. This study identifies the key factors that influence the adoption of SFPs among rice farmers in KPK and evaluates their economic impacts. Primary data were collected from 283 rice-growing households in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between 18th January 2025 and 27th April 2025 using multistage random sampling. Adoption patterns of practices such as crop rotation and intercropping, reduced chemical use, natural fertilizers, and water-saving methods were examined using descriptive statistics, chi-square testing, cost–benefit analysis, logistic regression, propensity score matching, structural equation modeling, and a decision-tree model. Results show that 56.2 percent of farmers adopted at least one sustainable practice. Education, farm size, access to credit and subsidies, market proximity, and participation in training significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. Adopters achieved higher yields (about 430 kg/ha more) and greater profitability than non-adopters (P < 0.01). Cost–benefit analysis confirmed stronger benefit-cost ratios for sustainable systems. Propensity score matching further supported positive effects on profitability, yield, and household income. The findings highlight the economic viability of SFPs in smallholder rice systems. Wider adoption will require expanded farmer training, improved access to concessional credit and subsidies, and stronger extension support. Promoting these practices can raise farm incomes, improve resource use, and support climate-resilient rice production in KPK, Pakistan.

There is growing political pressure for farmers to use more sustainable agricultural practices to protect people and the planet. The farming press could encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices through its ability to manipulate discourse and spread awareness by changing the salience of issues or framing topics in specific ways. We sought to understand how the UK farming press framed sustainable agricultural practices and how the salience of these practices changed over time. We combined a media content analysis of the farming press alongside 60 qualitative interviews with farmers and agricultural advisors to understand whether the farming press influenced farmers to try more sustainable practices. Salience of sustainable agricultural practices grew between 2009 and 2020. Many of the practices studied were framed by the press around economic and agronomic aspects, and farmer respondents said the most common reasons for trying sustainable agricultural practices were for economic and agronomic reasons. The farming press tended to use more positive rather than negative tones when covering sustainable agricultural practices. Respondents used the farming press as a source of information, though many did not fully trust these outlets as they believed the farming press were mouthpieces for agribusinesses. Whilst a minority of farmers stated they were motivated to try a new sustainable agricultural practice after learning about it in the farming press, this was rare. Instead, the farming press was used by respondents to raise their awareness about wider agricultural topics. We reflect on the role and power given to agribusinesses by the farming press and what this means for agricultural sustainability.

Sustainable agricultural practices are essential for responding to the twin pressure of climate change and rapid population growth in Kenya. Identifying mechanisms that accelerate the uptake of these practices remains a policy priority. Agricultural cooperatives societies (ACSs) have been proposed as a key institutional channel for supporting this transition. However, existing research on how ACSs influence the adoption of sustainable agriculture in Kenya is fragmented and significantly gaps persist regarding the consistency and strength of this relationship. This review synthesizes current empirical evidence and highlights methodological and theoretical limitations within the literature. A systematic search was conducted using google scholar, yielding 832 initial records. Studies were included if they examined Kenyan ACS and their relationship with sustainable or climate-smart agricultural practices, applied empirical methods, and were published in English. After screening, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on study characteristics, methodological approaches, and reported outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative findings were convergent. A majority of studies (86.4%) found that ACS membership was consistently associated with higher adoption rates of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices. Key mechanisms identified included improved access to information, collective resource mobilization, strengthened market structures, enhanced farmer inclusion, and support for innovation. Despite these benefits, several studies reported neutral or negative associations, often linked to governance weaknesses, limited technological capacity, and low farmer engagement. Additionally, 72.7% of the studies lacked a guiding theoretical framework, limiting explanatory depth and cross-study comparability. The evidence suggests that ACSs play a significant enabling role in advancing sustainable agriculture in Kenya, although their impact is uneven and context specific. Policymakers should prioritize strengthening CAS governance, investing in cooperative infrastructure, and promoting farmer participation. Future research should integrate robust theoretical frameworks to better explain causal pathways and variation in ACS effectiveness.

Climate change is vital issue hindering sustainable agriculture development and adjustments in farming practices. Conventional agriculture practices often lead to environmental degradation, ground water depletion, financial issues and even social conflicts.The population of the Globe is experiencing increased temperatures, low rainfall patterns with scarcity of water availability and drought persistence due to climate change. This article, thus, focuses on the challenges of adoption of sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) in the water-scarce, drought-prone province of Pakistan. Data was collected from 164 farmers by semi-structured questionnaire following multistage clustering sampling and empirically analyzed through Binary Logistic Regression Model. The results of the study elucidated that farmers’ education, their risk-taking behavior, participation in training, limited availability and high cost of agricultural land, inherited system of irrigation, and access to agricultural credit as the main barriers in adopting SAPs. The study recommends expansion of knowledge, planning, financial assistants from related institutes, proper training by the agriculture department, and policy intervention to cope with these barriers that hold back the adoption of SAPs. The Government needs to develop sustainable adaptive strategies for minimizing the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture by on-farm demonstrations in the field thereby saving depleting water resources and encourage farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.

This study analyzes the role of women in climate resilience building and sustainable farming practices in Nigeria. The country's heavy reliance on agriculture and its vulnerability to climate change make it imperative to understand and enhance women's participation in these areas. Through a systematic review of literature, this research provides insights into the different levels of women's involvement in climate resilience building and sustainable farming practices. Women's contributions include knowledge and skills, natural resource management, community resilience, and education and awareness. However, women face challenges such as limited access to resources, gender-based discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making processes. Women's leadership in sustainable farming practices is crucial for global food security and sustainable development. Gender-inclusive policies and strategies are crucial for building climate resilience, as they acknowledge the unique challenges women face due to existing gender inequalities. Enhancing women's access to financing, training, and agricultural extension services is essential for gender equality and empowering women in the agricultural sector. The findings emphasize the importance of gender perspectives in addressing climate change impacts and highlight the vulnerabilities faced by women in Nigeria. Recommendations for policymakers, organizations, and stakeholders include developing gender-inclusive policies, providing access to financing, strengthening capacity-building initiatives, improving access to agricultural extension services, promoting women's leadership and representation, and fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. This study highlights the significant role of women in climate resilience building and sustainable farming practices in Nigeria and calls for their enhanced participation and empowerment in these areas.

This study investigates the implementation and transfer of sustainable agricultural practices (SUSAPs) across a multitier agrifood supply chain (SC) using Brazilian poultry farming as the empirical context. We conduct an interpretive case study of buyer–supplier–subsupplier triads, including those certified under Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and noncertified counterparts, using interviews, observations, and secondary data. Adopting a sociomaterial perspective, we investigate how SUSAPs' components—meanings, materials, and competencies—are embedded within specific SC tiers and transferred across the triad. A zoom‐in analysis reveals that only animal welfare is a fully adopted practice, whereas waste management, working conditions, and biosecurity remain in development as protopractices. A zoom‐out analysis of SUSAPs' components shows limited buyer influence across the triad, while first‐tier suppliers facilitate SUSAP transfer. We advance theory by demonstrating how a sociomaterial perspective explains the degree of SUSAPs' implementation and transfer, and introducing the boomerang effect , illustrating how first‐tier suppliers enable SUSAP implementation among certified and noncertified subsuppliers to ensure safer and more sustainable products. These insights help managers transfer SUSAPs into their SCs by leveraging first‐tier suppliers as boundary spanners.

Urban residential energy switching in China between 1980 and 2014 prevents 2.2 million premature deaths