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Exploring Synergies Among Agricultural Sustainability Dimensions: An Empirical Study on Farming System in Almería (Southeast Spain)

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  • Galdeano-Gómez, E.
  • Aznar-Sánchez, J.A.
  • Pérez-Mesa, J.C.
  • Piedra-Muñoz, L.

Abstract

Measuring sustainability is a multi-attribute issue consisting of numerous variables that tend to be interrelated. The holistic perspective and the determination of said relationships, synergies and/or trade-offs, are aspects that have been receiving close attention in the literature on the subject. This paper aims to develop an analysis that considers these topics regarding the farming system in Almería, utilizing primary data obtained from surveys of a sampling of farmers and secondary data from the sector. A series of ecological, social and economic indicators are determined, following the framework of the Sustainability Assessment of Farming and the Environment (SAFE), and its subsequent aggregation using synthetic indexes. The estimation of interrelationships is carried out by means of a multivariate analysis, considering the endogeneity between the sustainability dimensions and the influence of several features of the agrifood system. The results reveal that the increase in the economic and social indicators reduces environmental pressures on the use of resources; in parallel, it can also be observed how social and environmental improvements reveal positive effects on the economic dimension of the farmers. Overall, this study presents an analytical study that combines indicators at farm level and the effects related to the productive activities surrounding agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Galdeano-Gómez, E. & Aznar-Sánchez, J.A. & Pérez-Mesa, J.C. & Piedra-Muñoz, L., 2017. "Exploring Synergies Among Agricultural Sustainability Dimensions: An Empirical Study on Farming System in Almería (Southeast Spain)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 99-109.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:140:y:2017:i:c:p:99-109
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.05.001
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    3. Antonio Martos-Pedrero & Francisco Joaquín Cortés-García & David Jiménez-Castillo, 2019. "The Relationship between Social Responsibility and Business Performance: An Analysis of the Agri-Food Sector of Southeast Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-23, November.
    4. María del Carmen Galera-Quiles & Laura Piedra-Muñoz & Emilio Galdeano-Gómez & Angel Carreño-Ortega, 2021. "A Review of Eco-Innovations and Exports Interrelationship, with Special Reference to International Agrifood Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Hongfang Li & Huixiao Wang & Yaxue Yang & Ruxin Zhao, 2021. "Regional Coordination and Security of Water–Energy–Food Symbiosis in Northeastern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Piotr Sulewski & Anna Kłoczko-Gajewska & Wojciech Sroka, 2018. "Relations between Agri-Environmental, Economic and Social Dimensions of Farms’ Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-23, December.
    7. Beatriz García-Cornejo & José A. Pérez-Méndez & David Roibás & Alan Wall, 2020. "Efficiency and Sustainability in Farm Diversification Initiatives in Northern Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Giang N. T. Nguyen & Tapan Sarker, 2018. "Sustainable coffee supply chain management: a case study in Buon Me Thuot City, Daklak, Vietnam," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-17, December.
    9. Dwi Ratna Hidayati & Elena Garnevska & Paul Childerhouse, 2021. "Sustainable Agrifood Value Chain—Transformation in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.

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