Sustainable Agriculture Practices: A Key Driver for Ensuring Future Food Safety

Dear Colleagues:

The world's total population is estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Hence, an increase in world food production by some 70% is required to meet the rising need for food. This amplification of agricultural production significantly pressures water resources and farming systems' environmental integrity. Currently, the agriculture sector faces a complex array of challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation. These challenges intensify concerns regarding substantial transformations in agricultural practices and the safety of our food supply chain. The potential health implications linked to the exposure of the food chain to various threats, encompassing residues of veterinary drugs, chemical fertilizers, and environmental contaminants, as well as the spread of antibiotic resistance, has prompted shifts in food legislation, not only addressing human health concerns but also encompassing ecological considerations.

The ability to respond and ensure a secure and ample food supply varies among countries, contingent on policy development, technological access, and supportive infrastructure.

Nevertheless, sustainable agriculture practices remain a viable solution, promoting cost-effective traditional farming methods and a holistic approach. This approach emphasizes the integration of organic farming, responsible water management, agroecology, and good agricultural practices. For instance, reducing the increased reliance on harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers mitigates the adverse impacts of chemical residues in crops. At the same time, diverse cropping systems enhance resilience against pests and diseases. Providing cost-effective solutions and applied research methods to eliminate untreated wastewater and to support small growers would further alleviate the risk of microbiological hazards and chemical residues in crops, contributing to environmental conservation and food safety.

Therefore, this Special Issue highlights recent research on sustainable agriculture practices that safeguard food safety, foster resilience in the face of global challenges, and create a more secure, sustainable, and safe food future.

We invite you to submit your latest research works on subjects including, but not limited to, the following keywords:

-              Water reuse for irrigation;

-              Risk mitigations through traditional farming methods;

-              Crop resilience;

-              Managing microbiological and chemical hazards;

-              Emerging pollutants;

-              Pesticide residues;

-              Agricultural practices;

-              Water contamination;

-              Soil contamination.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dima Faour-Klingbeil

Guest Editor

Dr. Othman Al Mashaqbeh

Co-Guest Editor

Dr. Dima Faour-Klingbeil
Dr. Othman Al Mashaqbeh
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• Water reuse for irrigation
• Risk mitigations through traditional farming methods
• Crop resilience
• Managing microbiological and chemical hazards
• Emerging pollutants
• Pesticide residues
• Agricultural practices
• Water contamination
• Soil contamination