Circular Agriculture Models: A Systematic Review of Academic Contributions

Wilma Guerrero-Villegas (), Maribel Rosero-Rosero, Eleonora-Melissa Layana-Bajana and Héctor Villares-Villafuerte
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Wilma Guerrero-Villegas: School of Economics, Red Idea-Ciencia, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ibarra 100105, Ecuador
Maribel Rosero-Rosero: School of Economics, Red Idea-Ciencia, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ibarra 100105, Ecuador
Eleonora-Melissa Layana-Bajana: School of Envirnomental Engineering, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ibarra 100105, Ecuador
Héctor Villares-Villafuerte: School of Economics, Red Idea-Ciencia, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Ibarra 100105, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: This study contributes to scientific theory by analyzing the models proposed within the framework of circular agriculture to determine how the three dimensions of sustainability—environmental, economic, and social—are integrated into their implementation. A systematic review was conducted on articles published between 2016 and 2025, indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as the relevant grey literature. The methodology employed an extensive content analysis designed to minimize bias, applying filters related to specific knowledge areas to delimitate the search scope and enhance the precision of the research. The findings reveal that the research on circular agriculture models is predominantly grounded in the principles of the circular economy and its associated indicators. Moreover, these models tend to focus on environmental metrics, often neglecting a comprehensive exploration of the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. It can be concluded that a significant gap persists in the literature regarding the circularity of agriculture and its socio-economic impacts and the role of regulatory frameworks, aspects that future research must address in order to achieve sustainability in circular agriculture.

Keywords: sustainability dimensions; circular agriculture models; database filters; public policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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