Analyzing and Prioritizing the Barriers and Solutions of Sustainable Agriculture for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in China

Jiangning Cao () and Yasir Ahmed Solangi ()
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Jiangning Cao: Business School, Xinyang Normal University (XYNU), Xinyang 464000, China
Yasir Ahmed Solangi: School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Sustainable agriculture is crucial to the United Nations’ efforts to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, to develop successful policies and strategies, it is necessary to assess the many obstacles to implementing sustainable agriculture. This study uses Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques to analyze the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable agriculture in China’s economy, particularly in advancing the SDGs. Three enormous obstacles are found in the study, along with fifteen smaller ones that are broken down into economic, social, and environmental categories. The weights of the obstacles and sub-barriers are determined, and the solutions for sustainable agriculture are ranked using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) methodologies. According to the AHP approach, economic issues are China’s most significant obstacles to sustainable agriculture, followed by environmental and social concerns. Climate change and a lack of financial incentives are the two highest-ranked sub-barriers. On the other hand, the SAW approach suggests that the best ways to achieve the SDGs through sustainable agriculture are through international cooperation, financial investments in sustainable agriculture, and alternative agricultural methods. In order to advance sustainable agriculture and the SDGs in China, the report advises policymakers to focus on strengthening institutional support, increasing public awareness, and making technological investments.

Keywords: sustainable agriculture; sustainable development goals; barriers; agriculture strategies; AHP-SAW approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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