Regional Development Policy Research Articles

Supervised land cover classification of Nueva Ecija using random forest in google earth

Land cover classification is essential for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and sustainable land use management. This study presents a supervised land cover classification in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, utilizing Google Earth Engine (GEE) and the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, applied to Landsat 8 imagery. A total of 1,523 samples were collected representing five land cover types: built-up areas, agricultural lands, water bodies, forests, and barren land. The classification achieved an overall accuracy of 87.69% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.841. Future work should explore the integration of seasonal imagery and topographic indices for improved performance. This methodology provides crucial insights for resource management and supports regional policy development in Nueva Ecija.

Analysis of The Leading Sector for Regional Development: A Case Study of Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK), Riau Islands Province, Indonesia

Abstract: Spatial planning in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) areas is prioritized because it has an important impact on the national economy. This research aims to identify the potential leading sectors in the BBK areas as a reference in regional development. This study uses time series data on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) based on constant prices in the BBK areas from 2011 to 2021. The analytical tools used in this research are Location Quotient to identify basic and non-basic sectors, Shift Share Analysis to determine changes and shifts in sectors, and Klassen Typology to determine the classification of sector in each region. The three analytical tools combined results demonstrate that economic growth in Batam is supported by the processing sector. A growing sector in Bintan is related to the tourism. Economic potential in Karimun dominated by the agricultural, forestry, and marine sectors. Tanjungpinang’s economic potential is dominated by the service sector, which supports the city’s role as the capital of the Riau Islands Province. However, the fisheries sector has not developed optimally. As an archipelago, regional development policies in the BBK areas should develop other sectors to optimize the maritime economic potential. Keywords: Klassen Typology, Location Quotient, Leading Sectors, National Strategic Areas, Shift Share Analysis

Regional Development Policies in Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries: A Comparative Analysis

This essay explores the regional development policies applied in Afghanistan and its neighboring countries using a comparative qualitative analysis method. It focuses on infrastructure development, human capital investment, regional integration, and technological innovation policies. It compares development policies in China, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan highlighting key projects which have fostered regional connectivity and economic growth. By comparing these policies, the essay evaluates how these initiatives have contributed to reducing regional disparities. This study aims to provide insights into how regional development policies can address Afghanistan’s socio-economic disparities and promote sustainable development. Despite notable successes, the research identifies ongoing challenges such as political instability, limited financial resources, and weak regional cooperation that impede further progress in Afghanistan. Key policy recommendations for Afghanistan include enhancing regional cooperation, investing in technological infrastructure, and developing human capital to achieve sustainable growth and stability.

The Impact of Toll Road Development on Urbanization Typology and Economic Structure (Case Study: Palikanci Toll Road in Ciledug District, Cirebon Regency)

This study examines the impact of toll roads on regional growth, specifically focusing on the Ciledug District, which has been crossed by the Palikanci Toll Road since 2009. The research identifies the typology of urbanization and assesses changes in the area’s economic structure due to the toll road. A mixed method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection, land change analysis via Google Earth and ArcGis 13.1, and field observations of land use. The findings reveal gentrification in the northern part of Ciledug, marked by the growth of business centers in Jatiseeng and rising land prices. This has led to the expansion of settlements toward the southern area, particularly in Jatiseeng Kidul. The toll road and the industrial estate in North Ciledug have accelerated the transformation of the local economy, with residents diversifying their livelihoods to adapt to urbanization. However, the study also notes a lack of improvement in essential infrastructure services, suggesting that regional development policies have not yet adapted to the gentrification, posing risks of urban sprawl.

‘Grand designs?’ Investigating the cultural and spatial logics of Channel 4’s media hub workspaces in Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow

This article explores the evolving spatiality of media production through an analysis of recent developments in UK broadcaster Channel 4’s move to a multi-site operating model. Historically, media buildings have served as landmarks of power and influence, embodying the aspirations and identities of media organisations and, as such, offer a fruitful lens for the specific exploration of the spaces of contemporary media production. Through a detailed analysis of Channel 4’s decision-making process, site selections and the significance of the chosen buildings within areas with an urban regeneration focus, the study investigates the complex interplay between media industry dynamics, regional development policies, and wider political and economic forces. Drawing on a range of academic literature and evidence from media, industry and policy reporting, the article highlights the strategic motivations behind Channel 4’s decentralisation efforts, positioned by the organisation as an effort to address diversity in terms of nations and regions representation but significantly shaped by political factors. However, it also raises critical questions about the long-term sustainability, economic viability and cultural impact of these relocation decisions. The article discusses how Channel 4’s regional media spaces and decentralisation reflect the impermanence and crisis facing Public Service Media, emphasising the shifting power dynamics within the media landscape and the need for adaptive strategies in an increasingly volatile industry environment. By examining the evolving investment in media buildings, this research contributes to a growing body of research seeking to understand the complex dynamics shaping contemporary media landscapes and urban environments.

Coordinated Regional Economic Development: A Study of the Relationship Between Regional Policies and Business Performance

Abstract In the context of the global spread of the Corona Virus Disease 2019, improving enterprise performance, promoting regional economic development, and solving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate regional development are important considerations for regional policy formulation. To understand the relationship between regional policies and corporate performance, this study starts with theories related to regional policies and corporate performance, and proposes two hypotheses. The Western Development, Northeast Revitalization of the Old Industrial Base, and Central Rise Plan are selected as typical representatives of regional policies, and the hypotheses are verified through a double difference model. The results showed that regional policies could improve corporate performance, especially for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The correlation between the revitalization of the old industrial base in Northeast China and the performance of SOEs was strong, with a correlation coefficient of 0.832. When conducting robustness tests by changing time periods, the correlation values between the performance of SOEs and policies in the three policy implementation areas of revitalizing Northeast China, western development, and central rise were 0.887, 0.764, and 0.652, respectively. Compared to non-SOEs, SOEs had a more significant effect on regional policy improvement. This conclusion was consistent with the empirical results of hypotheses 1 and 2. Based on this foundation, recommendations are offered for the suitability of regional policies to furnish theoretical frameworks for enhancing the regional policy structure and augmenting the precision and inclusivity of regional policy development. The research model is utilized to reveal the important role of regional policies in promoting enterprise performance improvement and promoting regional economic development. It can provide strong evidence support for policy makers. The study offers a scientific theoretical basis and empirical support that assist policymakers in comprehending policy objectives and implementation strategies with greater precision. Therefore, the coordinated advancement of regional economic development is facilitated.

Quality of life modeling in Saint Petersburg and the Northwest regions

Subject: application of the quality economics methodology to obtain scientifically based assessments of the quality of life in the regions of the Northwestern Federal District. The purpose of the study: research development related to the search for possible areas of impact on the socio-economic system that contribute to improving the population’s quality of life in the context of digitalization (according to the data from St. Petersburg and the regions of the Northwestern Federal District). In the course of the study, a quality of life model was created for the regions of the Northwestern Federal District. A basic and comprehensive assessment of the quality of life was carried out, so now we can trace the more than ten-year dynamics of the indicator, group the regions, identify and justify their common and accusatory features in the context of the study. An analysis of individual characteristics of the quality of life in the Northwestern Federal District regions has shown that it is possible to measure the contribution that medical and demographic conditions, socio-economic well-being, comfort and safety of the living environment make to the quality of life indicator. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that it is important to assess the contribution of these components to determine the direction of regional development policy. In the interests of revealing promising opportunities for obtaining algorithmic solutions in the field of standardization of quality of life management in the region, a new format of a multi-level quality management system is proposed. The use of a digitalized format for managerial decision-making in a multi-level quality management system will greatly increase their effectiveness by expanding the capabilities of analyzing complex data without clear relationships, including for forecasting and optimizing processes occurring at the local, regional, and national levels.

Exploring the role of regional capacity in human resource development in Indonesia

The role of local government in regional development planning is an essential topic in the context of sustainable local development. This study aimed to analyze the role of local governments in regional development planning and their impact on the effectiveness and sustainability of development at the local level. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis related to regional development policies and regulations. This research was conducted in several districts/cities in certain regions, considering diverse geographical, social, and economic contexts. The results showed that the role of local governments in regional development planning is vital in coordinating various interests, resources, and related actors. Local governments act as regulators, facilitators, and implementers in determining the direction, policies, and allocation of development resources. In addition, community and private-sector involvement is also recognized as an integral part of democratic and inclusive planning processes. The impact of the role of local governments in regional development planning can be seen in increasing the effectiveness of development programs, increasing community participation, reducing regional disparities, and improving the community’s quality of life. Nevertheless, challenges such as corruption, lack of interagency coordination, and political uncertainty remain obstacles that must be overcome. This study concludes that the role of local governments in regional development planning is a critical factor in achieving sustainable regional development. Therefore, measures are needed to strengthen institutional capacity, increase transparency, and strengthen public participation to ensure sustainable and inclusive development planning at the local level.

The bibliometric analysis of regional innovations of Kazakhstan in the context of Triple Helix model

This research aims to conduct an analysis of scientific literature on issues related to regional innovation in the context of Triple Helix model, including Kazakhstan. In order to accomplish the objective, the bibliometric analysis was carried out using four primary search strings: “Triple Helix and Kazakhstan,” “Kazakhstan regional innovation,” “Regional Innovation and Triple Helix,” and “Regional Innovation.” The bibliometric analysis was conducted using the computer softwares VOSviewer, the computerized databases Scopus and Web of Science. Establishing links and relationships was achieved through the use of the computer software VOSViewer, which automatically applied methods of co-occurrence and keyword analysis. The results obtained from the areas mentioned earlier, particularly in the context of Kazakhstan and the publication output and connections within Triple Helix, are limited. It was revealed that in Kazakhstan there is a small amount of scientific research on regional innovation in the context of the Triple Helix model, which reflects the economic situation when the Triple Helix model is not sufficiently integrated into the state policy of regional development to study it. Kazakhstani policymakers and scholars focus on regional economic growth development as a strategy rather than integrating innovation models or the Triple Helix model in regional development. The primary contribution of this paper is to highlight the limited availability of literature and research on the topic at hand. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for further investigation and serves as a potential agenda for policymakers and scholars interested in regional development and innovation in Kazakhstan and other countries.

Applying the driver-pressure-state-impact-response model to ecological restoration: A case study of comprehensive zoning and benefit assessment in Zhejiang Province, China

Ecosystem degradation is a global problem that poses a significant threat to the sustainable development of human societies, particularly in developing countries, such as China. In response, China has implemented a series of ecological restoration (ER) policies over recent years. However, significant regional developmental disparities, pronounced spatial heterogeneity of ecological issues, and substantial historical debt for ER in China present considerable obstacles and financial burdens to the effective implementation of ER strategies. Delineating ER zones and assessing the ER benefits are essential for developing effective ER strategies and implementing ER projects. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive framework for ER utilizing the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, quantified the urbanization levels, ecological state, and restoration costs in Zhejiang Province to delineate ER zones, integrated the patch-generating land use simulation model with the ecosystem service value assessment method to quantify the benefits of ER, and ultimately developed tailored ER strategies. The results showed that: (1) The pattern of urbanization levels was characterized by high levels in the northeast and low levels in the southwest, which constrated with the ecological state. The areas of high restoration costs were located in the northeastern and southeastern regions, and the areas of low restoration costs were situated in the southwestern region. (2) The rate of construction land expansion is significantly curtailed under the ER scenario compared to the natural development scenario in 2035, while forest areas have seen effective protection and an increase from the levels of 2020. (3) The ER policy is projected to generate ecological benefits totaling CNY 8.23 billion by 2035, substantially reducing the rate of ecosystem degradation. (4) Zhejiang Province is divided into five zones at the county scale: ecological autonomous protection zone, ecological core protection zone, ecological priority restoration zone, ecological control zone, and moderate development zone. Strategies have been devised based on the forecasted benefits of ER, offering valuable insights into ecological management. These findings aim to enhance the understanding of ER and support the development and implementation of regional ecological policies.

Responsible urban development policy: criteria, subjects, prospects

This article examines the primary directions of contemporary urban development policy, along with the issues and contradictions associated with its scientific research and practical implementation. The study aims to conceptualize the concept of “responsible urban development” as a complex of approaches and practices that hold promise for integration into practical urban and regional development policies, and to typologize potential approaches to implementing such policies. The authors use an institutional approach, the methodology of identity studies, the structural-functional approach and a case study. The article investigates quantitative and qualitative indicators, the key challenges and tasks of urban development policy, with a particular focus on the resources of modern urban development. The authors note that relying on a limited set of indicators does not provide the capacity for decision-making necessary to update and transform urban development policy to ensure its ability to promptly and flexibly respond to the numerous problems and challenges arising under conditions of socio-political instability. The article addresses and analyses several cases of contemporary urban development and the implementation of corresponding policies. Based on this analysis, the authors conclude that one of the central and most pressing issues in the policy of responsible urban development and the socio-political dynamics of cities is the inefficiency of the communication process between civil actors and stakeholders, on the one hand, and city authorities and the city administration, on the other. This communication deficit can only be partially addressed through digitalization, as the primary obstacles to improved communication are administrative barriers and the dominance of the interests of certain groups, such as large corporations and financial institutions.

Territorial Governance and its Challenges. Reflections on Inter-Municipal Consortia and River Basin Committees

Objective: To identify, analyze and diagnose certain proposals for regional development policies and planning that have emerged in Brazil in more recent periods, which, as such, do not have their origins in formulation and implementation by the federal level. Theoretical framework: With the involvement of different social and territorial scales, it became necessary to reflect on themes such as government, governance, planning and politics as a reflexive basis for the methodology. Method: The characterisation of forms of territorial governance was carried out through the analysis and diagnosis of case studies on River Basin Committees and Inter-municipal Public Consortia as empirical experiences involving different scales of regionalisation. Results and Discussion: Different levels and scales were uncovered in the involvement and triggering of management, from federal and state governments, to those originating in regional communities or even at municipal level and their different constraints and characteristics. Although the result of the limitation of these forms of management is not very surprising, it would be important to explore their potential for more democratic management in the future. Implications of the research: A constructive study of the common criticisms of proposals for regional coordination through committees and consortia could reveal the conditions in which they can become potential arenas for the political game of regional development. Originality/Value: In addition to contributing to the systematisation of the bibliography on the two forms of territorial management, it points to the need for further studies in search of their undiscovered potential.

What drives intercity venture capital investment? A comparative analysis between multiple linear regression and random forest

Venture capital (VC) significantly contributes to the development of regional economies and fosters innovation. Analyzing the factors that influence VC investments holds key importance. This study employs two methods to ascertain the relative significance of different factors at the city level: the Lindeman, Merenda, and Gold (LMG) approach in multiple linear regression (MLR) and variable importance in random forest (RF) machine learning. The findings reveal that several factors, including economy, finance, innovation, location, and policy, significantly influence VC investments. Both the MLR and RF models highlight the preeminence of economic and financial variables, followed closely by the city’s potential for innovation. Moreover, spatial heterogeneity exists in the importance of these variables. In the economically developed and densely populated eastern regions of China, the financial environment of cities emerges as the most crucial, whereas in the central and western regions, the economy and innovation, respectively, take precedence. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the distribution of VC investments and offers valuable insights for the development of regional policies.

Spatial and interindustry interactions in labour productivity convergence: An Industrial Journey via Galician Shires, 2010–2018

Regions and industries are not isolated islands; so, when evaluating productivity growth, regional and sectoral growth paths should not be expected to generate independently. Moreover, accounting for spatial interactions via econometric models has become normal practice; but modelling interindustry dependencies has not. Thus, we expand labour productivity econometric convergence models by introducing interindustry spillovers in addition to spillovers that are spatial in nature. To illustrate our findings, we present an empirical application predicated upon Galicia (extreme northwest Spain), a region posing major challenges to such modelling. Our results point to the relevance of interindustry spillovers in explaining productivity growth. Furthermore, the approach allows us to better interpret covariates that explain the different growth paths across regions and industries, thus enabling more reliable policy recommendations. We find that interindustry dependencies transmit productivity shocks across regions. In addition, our results suggest that spatial and interindustry dependencies should be considered when formulating (sub)regional economic development policies. Finally, our approach corrects possible misspecification problems that arise from data scarcity. This makes it a viable alternative for multiregional econometric tests in which some sectoral detail is needed. It is particularly useful for sets of regions where data needed to populate such models is scarce.

Cross-scale characteristics and emission reduction pathways of trade-embodied carbon flows in the global supply Chains

In the context of the 1.5 °C warming target, there is a growing awareness of the increasingly frequent carbon flows between subregions. However, understanding the characteristics and pathways of cross-scale carbon flows between subregions and regions remains elusive and impedes achieving emission reduction targets. This study employs a nested multi-regional input–output model and the structural path analysis method, establishing the characteristics of the carbon emission transfer network within global supply chains and discerning the crucial structural pathways and nodes for carbon emissions. The study found that (1) in 36 major countries, the embodied carbon flows are predominantly influenced by the developed countries around China in Asia and the Pacific. (2) In 30 subregions, coastal subregions with large-scale foreign trade and energy-intensive subregions in China's central and western parts contribute significantly to the larger embodied carbon outflow due to exports. (3) “Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products (S09) → construction (S19)” and “manufacture and processing of metals (S10) → construction (S19)” are the two key pathways of paramount significance of embodied carbon emissions. (4) “R25 South Korea” has the highest number of key pathways and the greatest embodied carbon emissions from critical paths, followed by “R27 India” and “R22 United States.” These findings offer valuable insights for the development of regional emission reduction policies.

Study on rapid policy-based strategic environmental assessment-taking China's regional development policy of Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone as an example

Strategic Environmental Assessment(SEA) is acknowledged to be an important decision support tool. SEA concerns potential environmental impacts of decisions made by policy, plan and programs. At present, policy-based SEA is still in the exploratory stage in China. The development of policy-based SEA is extremely slow due to institutional and technical difficulties. In practice, the time from policy proposals to policy implementation is relatively short. So the corresponding policy-based SEA should reflect the characteristics of rapidity, centre on the seriously negative impact that may be caused policy implementation, and provide early and initial warnings.A simple and rapid framework was designed for policy-based SEA in this study. The framework includes four parts, namely, policy analysis, eco-environmental impact identification, eco-environmental sensitivity assessment, policy recommendations. Following this framework, regional development policy of Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) was assessed. Results reveal that: 1)seriously negative environment impacts may arise from petroleum refining and chemical industry, oil and gas storage and transportation, iron ore transportation, liquid bulk commodities transportation. 2) Central Daishan area, Shengsi archipelago, Taohua Island, Liuheng island in Zhejiang FTZ is relatively of high eco-sensitivity, thus the fore-mentioned activities should be environmentally friendly or restricted in these areas. 3)In the future, continuous efforts should be made to promote sealing and automation of petroleum refining, chemical industry. Green petrochemical manufacturing technology utilization is recommended to reduce pollution from the source. Further, accelerating the construction of transportation pipelines is suggested in order to reduce air pollutants emissions caused by vehicle transportation activities. Fishery stock enhancement and releasing is recommended to counteract negative impact on fishery caused by iron and liquid bulk commodity marine transportation.

High-resolution carbon emission mapping and spatial-temporal analysis based on multi-source geographic data: A case study in Xi'an City, China

Cities, contributing over 70% of global emissions, are key areas for climate change mitigation. Heterogeneity within cities determines the need for spatialized urban emissions reduction policies. However, few studies have attempted to characterize the spatial distribution of carbon emissions at the urban scale. To address this issue, a novel mapping method was proposed, using Xi'an as an example to explore the spatial distribution of carbon emissions at the city scale. Firstly, multiple geospatial open-source data, such as point of interest (POI), road networks, and land use, were utilized to identify the locations of emission sources. High-resolution carbon emission distributions were then mapped by allocating emissions based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology. The study employed Global Moran's I to analyze the changes in spatial heterogeneity at different resolutions. Additionally, the Local Indicators of Spatial Association index (LISA) and Standard Deviation Ellipses (SDE) were adopted to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon emissions in Xi'an. The results show that carbon emissions at Xi'an City rises from 45.112 million tons to 72.701 million tons between 2010 and 2021. The construction of multi-scale carbon emissions spatial distributions, with a resolution of up to 30 m, allowed for a more detailed characterization of carbon emissions, especially in urban fringe areas. In addition, the results indicate that urban carbon emissions exhibit the strongest spatial autocorrelation at a resolution of 350 m. The study can provide a reference for the development of regional carbon emission reduction policies and spatial planning. In addition, the proposed spatialized method of city carbon emissions depends on open-source data, which allows it to have the potential for application in other cities.

The alleviating effect of household distributed photovoltaics on multidimensional relative poverty in rural areas

Relative poverty represents a major obstacle to China's rural revitalization efforts and necessitates enhanced policy support. This study aims to investigate the impact of household distributed photovoltaic (HDPV) on relative poverty conditions. Based on 337 questionnaire data from Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province in 2022, we construct a multidimensional relative poverty index using the Alkire-Foster method to assess the level of relative poverty. We employ fixed-effects models and mediation models to evaluate the effectiveness of HDPV in alleviating relative poverty. The results indicate that HDPV reduce the multidimensional relative poverty level of rural residents by approximately 0.058, demonstrating that installing HDPV can significantly alleviate multidimensional relative poverty. This effect is primarily achieved through increased investment in children's education. Additionally, we find that the alleviation effect varies by income level, with lower-income households experiencing greater improvements compared to higher-income households. Specifically, HDPV reduce the poverty level of the low-income group by approximately 0.0969, while the high-income group saw a reduction of about 0.0313. The findings of this study enrich the research on relative poverty in China by revealing the poverty-alleviating attributes of HDPV. It provides support for the development of renewable energy and regional development policies and has practical significance for advancing photovoltaic building integration.

Ecological Security Pattern Construction and Multi-Scenario Risk Early Warning (2020–2035) in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China

The effectiveness of ecological security patterns (ESPs) in maintaining regional ecological stability and promoting sustainable development is widely recognized. However, limited research has focused on the early warning of risks inherent in ESPs. In this study, the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GHKMGBA) is taken as the study area, and ecological security risk zones are delineated by combining the landscape ecological risk index and habitat quality, and a multi-level ESP is constructed based on the circuit theory. The PLUS model was employed to simulate future built-up land expansion under different scenarios, which were then extracted and overlaid with the multi-level ESP to enable the multi-scenario early warning of ESP risks. The results showed the following: The ESP in the central plains and coastal areas of the GHKMGBA exhibits a high level of ecological security risk, whereas the peripheral forested areas face less threat, which is crucial for regional ecological stability. The ESP, comprising ecological sources, corridors, and pinch points, is crucial for maintaining regional ecological flow stability, with tertiary corridors under significant stress and risk in all scenarios, requiring focused restoration and enhancement efforts. There are significant differences in risk early warning severity within the ESP across various development scenarios. Under the ecological protection scenario, the ESP will have the best early warning situation, effectively protecting ecological land and reducing ecological damage, providing a valuable reference for regional development policies. However, it must not overlook economic development and still needs to further seek a balance between economic growth and ecological protection.

From Microbes to Microbiomes: Applications for Plant Health and Sustainable Agriculture.

Plant-microbe interaction research has had a transformative trajectory, from individual microbial isolate studies to comprehensive analyses of plant microbiomes within the broader phytobiome framework. Acknowledging the indispensable role of plant microbiomes in shaping plant health, agriculture, and ecosystem resilience, we underscore the urgent need for sustainable crop production strategies in the face of contemporary challenges. We discuss how the synergies between advancements in 'omics technologies and artificial intelligence can help advance the profound potential of plant microbiomes. Furthermore, we propose a multifaceted approach encompassing translational considerations, transdisciplinary research initiatives, public-private partnerships, regulatory policy development, and pragmatic expectations for the practical application of plant microbiome knowledge across diverse agricultural landscapes. We advocate for strategic collaboration and intentional transdisciplinary efforts to unlock the benefits offered by plant microbiomes and address pressing global issues in food security. By emphasizing a nuanced understanding of plant microbiome complexities and fostering realistic expectations, we encourage the scientific community to navigate the transformative journey from discoveries in the laboratory to field applications. As companies specializing in agricultural microbes and microbiomes undergo shifts, we highlight the necessity of understanding how to approach sustainable agriculture with site-specific management solutions. While cautioning against overpromising, we underscore the excitement of exploring the many impacts of microbiome-plant interactions. We emphasize the importance of collaborative endeavors with societal partners to accelerate our collective capacity to harness the diverse and yet-to-be-discovered beneficial activities of plant microbiomes.