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Agriculture
Special Issues
Sustainable Rural Development and Agri-Food Systems—2nd Edition
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Sustainable Rural Development and Agri-Food Systems—2nd Edition

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (24 May 2024) | Viewed by 4564

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Camelia F. Oroian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: agrifood production; rural development; agrifood economics; food value chain; bioeconomy; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Horațiu Felix Arion

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: agribusiness; economy of local food; agri-food value-chain; agritourism; rural tourism; rural development; agrifood management; traditional food; localized food; bioeconomy; rural community government
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This interdisciplinary Special Issue encompasses a comprehensive approach to fostering lasting, balanced growth in rural communities while concurrently addressing the intricacies of food production, distribution, and consumption.

Sustainable rural development seeks to create resilient communities by implementing practices that balance economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This involves promoting agricultural methods that minimize negative ecological impacts, fostering social inclusivity, and ensuring economic viability for rural populations.

Agri-food systems, on the other hand, encompass the entire food supply chain, from production and processing to distribution and consumption. Achieving sustainability within these systems involves optimizing resource use, reducing waste, and promoting equitable access to nutritious food. It also addresses the resilience of food production in the face of environmental challenges, economic fluctuations, and societal changes.

The intersection of sustainable rural development and agri-food systems is crucial for achieving holistic and enduring progress. Moreover, it recognizes the interconnectedness of rural areas and their role in shaping a sustainable and equitable future for both local communities and the broader world. Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in this field collaborate to develop innovative strategies that promote the well-being of rural populations while safeguarding the planet's resources and ensuring a resilient and secure food supply.

Dr. Camelia F. Oroian
Prof. Dr. Horațiu Felix Arion
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable rural development
  • agri-food systems
  • interdisciplinarity
  • social inclusivity
  • food supply chain

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 945 KiB  
Article
Assessing Economic Viability of Resilient Sheep Foraging Alternatives in Lowland Regions of Romania
by Rodica Chetroiu, Steliana Rodino, Vili Dragomir, Diana Maria Ilie and Ancuța Marin
Agriculture 2024, 14(9), 1656; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14091656 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Sheep farming is an important branch of the animal husbandry sector in Europe. In 2023, Romania’s sheep and goat herds ranked third in the European Union, with more than 10 million heads, contributing substantially to the production of meat, traditional cheeses, and wool. [...] Read more.
Sheep farming is an important branch of the animal husbandry sector in Europe. In 2023, Romania’s sheep and goat herds ranked third in the European Union, with more than 10 million heads, contributing substantially to the production of meat, traditional cheeses, and wool. However, in the current climate context, with extreme weather events and especially long periods of drought, providing optimal fodder ratio becomes a challenge for farmers. As animal nutritionists provide valid alternatives, consistent with the nutritional requirements of the species, the present work aims to present some economically efficient fodder alternatives to use for milk production in sheep farms of different sizes. The study brings added value to research in the field of using fodder alternatives in animal nutrition through the economic aspects researched because profitability is pursued in any activity, thus completing the technical arguments of previous studies in the literature in the field. Several economic indicators were calculated, such as the total value by categories of expenses, the value of production, the level of profit, and the rate of gross and net return. The analysis demonstrated that regardless of their size, the sheep farms located in lowland areas can reach positive values of profitability indicators when using alternative fodder in animal feeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development and Agri-Food Systems—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Customers’ Perception of Microfinance Services as a Tool for Rural Development: A Romanian Case Study
by Denisa Henegar, Garofița Loredana Ilieș, Iulia C. Mureșan, Andra Ramona Poruțiu, Iulia Diana Arion and Felix H. Arion
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071087 - 5 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1449
Abstract
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a vital role in extending financial services to marginalized and underprivileged populations worldwide. While the focus of MFIs has traditionally been on providing financial products, recent research highlights the importance of intangible factors in shaping their success and sustainability. [...] Read more.
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a vital role in extending financial services to marginalized and underprivileged populations worldwide. While the focus of MFIs has traditionally been on providing financial products, recent research highlights the importance of intangible factors in shaping their success and sustainability. This research examines the influence of factors such as trust, empathy, organizational culture, and reputation on MFI performance. A structured questionnaire was developed, and data were collected from 110 clients. Statistical analysis, including Cronbach alpha, composite reliability, and exploratory factor analysis, was employed to assess the reliability, validity, and dimensionality of the collected data. Three dimensions of service quality were identified: empathy and assurance, trust, and intangibles. While gender differences in perception were observed, they were not statistically significant. However, significant differences were noted across age groups, educational levels, and types of businesses. Understanding and addressing factors related to trust, intangibles, and specific aspects of service satisfaction are crucial for enhancing client engagement and long-term success. By continuously striving to improve service quality, microfinance companies can strengthen client relationships and position themselves in such a way as to achieve sustainable impact and success in the microfinance landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development and Agri-Food Systems—2nd Edition)
36 pages, 17404 KiB  
Article
Conceptualization and Potential of Agritourism in Extremadura (Spain) from the Perspective of Tourism Demand
by José Manuel Sánchez-Martín, Rebeca Guillén-Peñafiel, Paloma Flores-García and María José García-Berzosa
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050716 - 30 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1471
Abstract
The current literature considers agritourism as a valid option for promoting the development of rural areas. This would be achieved by increasing agricultural incomes. However, numerous scientific studies have revealed the difficulty in reaching a consensus on the very concept of agritourism. In [...] Read more.
The current literature considers agritourism as a valid option for promoting the development of rural areas. This would be achieved by increasing agricultural incomes. However, numerous scientific studies have revealed the difficulty in reaching a consensus on the very concept of agritourism. In addition, the definition of agritourism is rarely related to the opinion of the demand. For this reason, this research aimed to understand the idea that tourists have about this variety. To this end, more than 500 surveys were carried out, from which the tourists’ conception of agritourism and the activities it entails were deduced. Other questions were also analyzed to determine whether the conception varies between those who have already performed this type of activity and those who have not yet had the opportunity to do so. From this, we can deduct the interest that visitors have in agritourism products, evidencing their potential. This interest is deduced through the visualization of different landscapes and activities of interest to tourists. Under these four central points, the aim was to understand the aims of agritourism in Extremadura (Spain). At the methodological level, a combination of descriptive statistics and spatial statistics was used, highlighting the use of cluster analysis. The results show a significant lack of knowledge of the meaning of agritourism, especially among those who have never practiced it, and of the activities associated with it. At the same time, the selection of landscapes preferred by tourists makes it possible to establish areas with potential for the development of these activities. Likewise, knowing which activities are of interest to tourists also helps to generate complementary activities and to better target the design of agrotourism products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development and Agri-Food Systems—2nd Edition)
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