Identifying Farming Strategies Associated With Achieving Global Agricultural Sustainability

Summary

This global comparative analysis examined farming strategies across 121 countries to identify which practices correlate with sustainability outcomes recognised by the United Nations. Using quantile regression and longitudinal data spanning 2004–2018, the authors found that countries with higher development indices, greater income equality, and lower food insecurity were associated with higher organic production and input use, whilst input-intensive strategies correlated with greater greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that national development status may drive agricultural strategy adoption rather than vice versa, with countries generally trending toward reduced inputs and increased organic agriculture share.

UK applicability

The findings may inform UK agricultural policy discussions around organic production targets and input reduction strategies, though the study's global scope means country-specific socioeconomic contexts differ substantially. The association between development indicators and farming practice adoption could inform how UK policy accounts for farmer economic resilience when promoting sustainability transitions.

Key measures

Input intensity per area (fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation); percentage of agriculture in organic production; GM crop adoption; 12 FAO sustainability metrics; Human Development Index; income equality; food insecurity; cereal yields; agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; SDG progress indicators

Outcomes reported

The study identified which farming strategies (input intensity, GM crop adoption, organic production) correlate with 12 United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization sustainability metrics across 121 countries. It analysed longitudinal trends from 2004–2018 and examined associations between national development indicators and agricultural practice adoption.

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