Research Articles (Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/1745

This collection contains some of the full text peer-reviewed/ refereed articles published by researchers from the Department of Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Development

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A review of the marketing approaches promoting the sale of milk from non-cattle dairy species
Tsvakirai, Chiedza Zvirurami (Springer, 2025-08-04)
Despite its rich heritage, milk from goats, sheep, camels, buffalos, and donkeys has remained a minor contributor to global dairy consumption. Recent market trends have seen this milk becoming popular, and to further develop this market, the study sought to determine how the marketing of non-cow mammalian milk can be improved. It investigated this by performing a scoping review that collates and synthesizes the currently fragmented body of knowledge on firstly, the attributes of non-cattle animal-sourced milk and the production attributes that are used to create consumer value and, secondly, the marketing tools that are used for marketing the milk. The study found that positive perceptions about the nutraceutical benefits and production characteristics were key drivers of demand for non-cow mammalian milk. This was aided by sensory, cultural, and social attributes, on which consumers also held negative opinions. It further identified food labelling as the leading marketing tool used for market penetration, supported by processing, packaging and blending. The study identified under-exploited marketing opportunities that could be realised by addressing consumers’ negative perceptions, leveraging product strengths and taking advantage of emerging trends in consumer behaviour. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying marketing gaps, this research advances the discourse on non-cow animal-sourced dairy markets, underscoring the need for tailored, innovative marketing approaches.
Improving stakeholder collaboration for sustainable agricultural mechanisation in rice production : a case study from Asutsuare, Ghana
Dorvlo, Selorm Yaotse; Baffoe, Gideon; Jew, Eleanor K.K.; Mkandawire, Elizabeth; Dougill, Andrew J. (Springer, 2025-08-22)
Sustainable agricultural mechanisation can help to achieve sustainable agricultural production using locally appropriate technology. It involves using machinery to remove the drudgery of farming practices while ensuring the environmental, socio-cultural and economic feasibility of the machinery used. In rice production, mechanisation can improve productivity, reduce methane emissions from fields, and remove low-skilled, physically-intensive, and monotonous labour requirements. It is important to recognise the challenges arising from the complex roles of the stakeholders involved in incorporating machinery into agricultural practices. There has been limited research on how these stakeholders interact in smallholder agricultural mechanization in Africa. To determine the modalities of the interactions between stakeholders and to propose a practical collaboration structure, this study evaluates the roles of various stakeholders involved in the rice production process in Asutsuare, a rice-producing region in Ghana. Stakeholders included smallholder farmers, policymakers, machinery sales agents, manufacturers, and agricultural extension agents. Using the pairwise ranking technique, the study found that smallholder farmers were the most influential stakeholders regarding mechanising rice production. However, focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed their feelings of neglect, stemming from a lack of support and resources from other stakeholders. The study proposes establishing a multistakeholder platform supported by transactional communication models to improve collaboration and machinery utilization among smallholder rice farmers. This approach will harness the expertise of operators, extension agents, and farmers, while incorporating resources from sales agents and policymakers. Additionally, training Agricultural Mechanisation Extension agents in machinery skills is recommended to enhance their effectiveness. These strategies can be adapted for other smallholder farming communities as well. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS • Stakeholder collaboration is crucial for sustainable agricultural development. • The smallholder farmer is an influential and important stakeholder in smallholder rice production mechanization. • Implementing a multi-stakeholder platform and transactional communication models among stakeholders is an effective strategy to improve machinery utilization for small-scale rice farmers in Ghana. • Capacity building for stakeholders is essential to maintain an engaging platform for stakeholders, enabling them to participate in and benefit from the mechanization process.
Participation and utilisation levels of smallholder farmers agricultural credit guarantee scheme in Shinyanga and Iringa Regions, Tanzania
Sanka, Marco Bura; Makhura, Moraka Nakedi (Springer, 2025-07-19)
Agricultural credit is a key instrument in improving smallholder farmers’ agricultural production. However, in Tanzania, access to agricultural credit is a significant challenge due to the higher transaction costs of lending to smallholder farmers. The Smallholder Farmers Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (SCGS) was introduced in 2018 to enhance access to credit. The study employed a double hurdle model and a Heckman two-step selection model on farm-level survey data of 500 smallholder rice farmers to estimate determinants of participation and levels of credit utilisation. The results revealed that ten variables significantly influenced participation in the SCGS, six variables determined the levels of credit utilisation and four variables had a joint influence on both participation and credit utilisation levels. Specifically, education level, household size, SCGS awareness, land ownership, rice farm size, extension services, frequency of extension contacts and membership in farm-based groups positively explain participation in the SCGS. Similarly, age, education level, household size, rice farm size, frequency of extension contacts and loan repayment period positively determined credit utilisation levels. Moreover, education level, household size, rice farm size and frequency of extension contacts jointly influenced participation and credit utilisation levels. However, off-farm income and savings from the previous cropping season negatively determined participation. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers on factors driving participation in the SCGS and credit utilisation levels, thereby supporting the design of effective strategies to enhance smallholder farmers’ participation in the SCGS and credit utilisation levels.
Public finance allocation does not reflect biodiversity priorities
Selomane, Odirilwe; Fourie, Michelle; Archibald, Sally; Pereira, Laura; Sitas, Nadia; Zoeller, Kim (Elsevier, 2025-06)
Closing the biodiversity finance gap requires increasing funding for nature-positive activities and making nature-negative activities less viable. This would reduce the need for expenditure on conservation and protection from the outset, especially for restoration efforts after the fact. Current financial flows to nature-positive activities are undermined by the considerably larger amount of funds flowing to nature-eroding activities. We used publicly available datasets to assess the allocation of public funds between nature-positive and nature-negative sectors, looking at both within-country and beyond-border spending. On average, high-income countries have the lowest gap between nature-negative and nature-positive expenditure, with lower middle- and low-income countries having the widest gap. However, high-income countries performed just as poorly when sending funds overseas as aid. The implication here is that prioritising sustainability only up to the national level will likely have a net negative outcome for global sustainability.
A scoping review of determinants of business engagement with biodiversity
Liu, Qian; Suring, Charlotte Marie; Thorsen, Bo Jellesmark; Zu Ermgassen, Sophus O.S.E.; Strange, Niels; Wunder, Sven; Bull, Joseph W.; Lagerkvist, Carl-Johan; Lundhede, Thomas Hedemark (Wiley, 2025-07)
Corporate biodiversity engagement is rising on the international agenda because companies not only face increasingly apparent biodiversity-related risks and dependencies, but also contribute to, and have the potential to mitigate biodiversity loss through their practices and investments. This scoping review maps the current literature on the determinants of business engagement with biodiversity, outlining motivations, barriers, actions, and financial instruments from 100 studies based on 26,096 records published between 2000 and 2023, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines. Findings reveal that companies are driven by multifaceted factors, with economic motivations including operational management and profitability frequently recorded. Regulatory frameworks motivate corporate engagement through legislation compliance while posing challenges due to regulatory uncertainty and inconsistent policies. While various financial mechanisms exist, further research is needed to explore innovative funding structures to upscale business investment. We call for empirical, context-specific studies on biodiversity monetization mechanisms.
Perceptions of beneficiaries of informal social protection initiatives in Uganda : an exploratory factor analysis approach
Lubinga, Stellah N. ; Lubinga, Moses Herbert; Tyanai, Masiya; Asilla, Rodney (Wiley, 2025-09)
Informal social protection interventions are instrumental in improving people's welfare through fostering income growth and enabling self-sufficiency. Whereas the success of some informal social protection initiatives has been acknowledged and documented, there is limited knowledge of the factors influencing the performance of informal social protection initiatives, especially in developing countries like Uganda. In this study, we identify and isolate the perceived factors influencing the performance of informal social protection initiatives. We use exploratory factor analysis on a sample of 130 beneficiaries of two informal social protection interventions in the Alebtong and Kampala districts of Uganda. Findings reveal that the performance of informal social protection interventions is perceived to be influenced by three categories of factors, collectively accounting for 62.4% of the total dataset variance which is more than the threshold of 50%. The factors are beneficiary empowerment, welfare enhancement and coverage and equality. Each factor encompasses a cluster of variables that collectively capture the essential dimensions of individual perceptions concerning the effect of informal social protection initiatives. This research offers valuable insights into how the beneficiaries perceive informal social protection initiatives, shedding light on the nuanced factors contributing to their effectiveness in Uganda.
Why we should protect the high seas from all extraction, forever
Roberts, Callum M.; Dyer, Emilia; Earle, Sylvia A.; Forrest, Andrew; Hawkins, Julie P.; Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove; Meeuwig, Jessica J.; Pauly, Daniel; Pimm, Stuart L.; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid; Rockstroem, Johan; Lynas, Mark (Nature Research, 2025-06)
Exploitation of the high seas risks doing irreversible damage to biodiversity, climate stability and ocean equity. A consensus must be built now to save them.
The impact of climate-smart agriculture practices on household vulnerability to climate change : evidence from Zimbabwe
Okumu, Boscow; Ntuli, Herbert; Muchapondwa, Edwin; Mudiriza, Gibson; Mukong, Alfred (Taylor and Francis, 2025)
Climate change and variability pose a significant hindrance to agricultural productivity. The adverse effects are particularly concerning in many African countries that rely heavily on rainfed subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. The promotion of climate-smart agriculture technologies as a pathway to enhancing food security, farmers' welfare, and providing climate adaptation and mitigation benefits is one of the several interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity. However, there has been a dearth of evidence on the determinants of adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices as well as the impact of climate-smart agriculture practices on food security and household welfare. This paper contributes to this knowledge gap by using the probit model to explore the drivers of uptake of climate-smart agriculture practices, and the inverse probability weighting regression model and the instrumental variable approach to assess the impact on food security, household savings and household vulnerability. We find that the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices among smallholder farmers is influenced by land ownership, climatic variables, land terrain and household sociodemographic characteristics. The study further revealed that adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices leads to a reduction in household savings and household vulnerability but leads to improved food security. Policy implications are also discussed.
Six principles to get natural climate solutions right in Africa
Pereira, Laura M.; Archibald, Sally; Selomane, Odirilwe; Zoeller, Kim; Armani, Mohammed; Kairo, James; Kgope, Barney; Kimuyu, Duncan M.; Lugendo, Blandina R.; Nicolau, Denise; Olendo, Mike I.; Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly; Shannon, Lynne J.; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid (Nature Research, 2025)
Nature-based climate solutions tend to overlook Africa’s diverse contexts and development priorities. We propose six guiding principles centred on the aspirations of African peoples, recognizing the cultural connection of communities to their environments and the role of biodiversity in sustaining livelihoods and identities.
Deep-sea mining and its risks for social-ecological systems : insights from simulation-based analyses
Alam, Lubna; Pradhoshini, Kumara Perumal; Flint, Raphaelle A.; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid (Public Library of Science, 2025-03)
The pros and cons of deep-sea mining (DSM) is currently hotly debated. Here, we assess the environmental, economic, and social risks of DSM by comparing scenarios with and without DSM involvement. The “Without” scenario relies solely on land-based mining and circular economy solutions, while the “With” scenario incorporates DSM alongside circular strategies, highlighting the dangers of heavy DSM dependence. Through literature review and expert interviews, our study identifies key risk indicators across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, forming a comprehensive assessment framework. Through the application of qualitative data and fuzzy cognitive mapping, the analysis reveals that environmental factors are the most influential (centrality: 1.46), followed by social (1.32) and economic (1.0) factors. In the “With DSM” scenario, all indicators show increased risks, with environmental factors, particularly “coastal state vulnerability,” experiencing a 13% rise. Social risks, including “violation of law,” “participatory rights,” “lack of effective control,” and “degraded reputation,” increase by 8–11%, while economic risks, such as “contractual violations,” “lack of special provision,” “knowledge gap on economic assistance fund” and disputes among “multiple stakeholders,” see an 11% uptick. Our results suggest that the risks DSM poses to deep-sea marine ecosystems are likely too significant to justify its pursuit and advocates for circular economy solutions as viable alternatives to mitigate environmental, social, and economic risks. We recommend that policies should promote circular practices through resource recovery incentives.
Examining the effects of exchange rate regimes choice on South Africa’s agricultural trade : a gravity model panel approach
Jafta, Asanda; Phali, Lerato E. (Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-09)
This paper investigates the impact of exchange rate regimes and exchange rates on South African agricultural exports, a vital sector of the economy. Employing an augmented gravity model, the study examines bilateral trade with 21 countries from 1988 to 2023. Key variables include de facto classification of exchange rate regimes, GDP, distance, and trade-related factors such as borders, common language, free trade agreements, and landlocked status. Estimations are conducted using pooled OLS, fixed effects, and random effects models. Results show that GDPs of both South Africa and its trading partners positively influence agricultural exports, while distance and exchange rate negatively affect them. Exchange rate regimes are found to play a significant role: fixed regimes are most constraining to export performance, whereas managed float regimes are less restrictive. These findings underscore the importance of exchange rate policy in shaping South Africa’s agricultural trade outcomes and guiding economic policy decisions.
Evaluating the economic effect of sustainable agricultural practices on small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape Province : a propensity score matching analysis
Mdoda, Lelethu; Loki, Olwethu; Sikwela, Misery M. (Taylor and Francis, 2025)
Agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa is low, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) offer pathways to improve productivity and resilience. This study assessed the impact of SAPs on the farm income of small-scale farmers in Eastern Cape Province. Using a cross-sectional research design and multistage sampling, data were collected from 168 smallholder farmers through semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and propensity score matching were used for analysis. Results showed that 70% of farmers were female, averaging 45, and six household members worked as family labour. The study found that 64% of farmers who adopted SAPs had improved farm returns. Empirical results revealed that adopting all five SAPs positively impacted farm income more than adopting one or two. The study concludes that SAPs enhance farmers' welfare and livelihood. Based on the results, the study recommends a gradual transition to these practices, restoring soil health, controlling weeds, reducing erosion, and aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Spatial distribution of fishmeal and fish oil factories around the globe
Shea, Lauren A.; Wabnitz, Colette C.C.; Cheung, William W.L.; Pauly, Daniel; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2025-04)
Fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) are critical inputs for the compound aquatic feeds sustaining the fed aquaculture sector, yet there is limited publicly available information on the location of FMFO production factories around the globe. This makes it difficult to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of individual factories and the industry’s footprint as a whole. To fill this knowledge gap, we compiled location data for FMFO factories across 63 producing countries. We identified 506 factories owned and/or operated by 413 companies. We provide an open-source database that includes FMFO factory locations, company names, and raw material types. This study offers a first look at the spatial distribution of the FMFO industry and serves as a valuable resource for marine resource managers and policymakers. Knowing the locations of factories and where FMFO production is concentrated can inform the development of cooperative national and international policies to ensure environmentally and socially responsible standards.
The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses
Clements , Hayley S.; San, Emmanuel Do Linh; Hempson, Gareth; Linden , Birthe; Maritz, Bryan; Monadjem, Ara; Reynolds , Chevonne; Siebert, Frances; Stevens, Nicola; Biggs , Reinette; De Vos, Alta; Blanchard , Ryan; Child , Matthew; Esler , Karen J.; Hamann, Maike; Loft, Ty; Reyers, Belinda; Selomane, Odirilwe; Skowno, Andrew L.; Tshoke, Tshegofatso; Abdoulaye, Diarrassouba; Aebischer, Thierry; Aguirre-Gutiérrez, Jesús; Alexander, Graham J.; Ali, Abdullahi H.; Allan, David G.; Amoako , Esther E.; Angedakin, Samuel; Aruna, Edward; Avenant , Nico L.; Badjedjea, Gabriel; Bakayoko, Adama; Bamba-kaya, Abraham; Bates, Michael F.; Bates, Paul J.J.; Belmain , Steven R.; Bennitt , Emily; Bradley, James; Brewster, Chris A.; Brown, Michael B.; Brown , Michelle; Bryja, Josef; Butynski, Thomas M.; Carvalho, Filipe; Channing, Alan; Chapman, Colin A.; Cohen, Callan; Cords , Marina; Cramer, Jennifer D.; Cronk , Nadine; Cunneyworth, Pamela M.K.; Dalerum, Fredrik; Danquah, Emmanuel; Davies-Mostert, Harriet T.; De Blocq , Andrew D.; De Jong , Yvonne A.; Demos , Terrence C.; Denys , Christiane; Djagoun, Chabi A.M.S.; Doherty-Bone , Thomas M.; Drouilly, Marine; Du Toit, Johan T.; Ehlers Smith, David A.; Ehlers Smith, Yvette C.; Eiseb , Seth J.; Fashing, Peter J.; Ferguson, Adam W.; Fernández-García, José M.; Finckh, Manfred; Fischer, Claude; Gandiwa, Edson; Gaubert, Philippe; Gaugris , Jerome Y.; Gibbs, Dalton J.; Gilchrist , Jason S.; Gil- Sánchez , Jose M.; Githitho, Anthony N.; Goodman, Peter S.; Granjon , Laurent; Grobler, J. Paul; Gumbi, Bonginkosi C.; Gvozdik, Vaclav; Harvey, James; Hauptfleisch, Morgan; Hayder, Firas; Hema, Emmanuel M.; Herbst, Marna; Houngbédji, Mariano; Huntley, Brian J.; Hutterer, Rainer; Ivande, Samuel T.; Jackson, Kate; Jongsma, Gregory F.M.; Juste , Javier; Kadjo, Blaise; Kaleme, Prince K.; Kamugisha, Edwin; Kaplin, Beth A.; Kato, Humphrey N.; Kiffner , Christian; Kimuyu , Duncan M.; Kityo, Robert M.; Kouamé, N’goran G.; Kouete T, Marcel; Le Roux, Aliza; Lee, Alan T.K.; Lötter, Mervyn C.; Lykke , Anne Mette; MacFadyen, Duncan N.; Macharia, Gacheru P.; Madikiza , Zimkitha J.K.; Mahlaba, Themb'alilahlwa A.M.; Mallon, David; Mamba, Mnqobi L.; Mande, Claude; Marchant, Rob A.; Maritz, Robin A.; Markotter, Wanda; McIntyre , Trevor; Measey , John; Mekonnen , Addisu; Meller, Paulina; Melville, Haemish I.; Mganga, Kevin Z.; Mills, Michael G.L.; Minnie , Liaan; Missoup, Alain Didier; Mohammad, Abubakr; Moinde, Nancy N.; Moise , Bakwo Fils E.; Monterroso , Pedro; Moore , Jennifer F.; Musila, Simon; Nago , Sedjro Gilles A.; Namoto, Maganizo W.; Niang, Fatimata; Nicolas , Violaine; Nkenku, Jerry B.; Nkrumah, Evans E.; Nono, Gonwouo L.; Norbert, Mulavwa M.; Nowak , Katarzyna; Obitte , Benneth C.; Okoni-Williams, Arnold D.; Onongo, Jonathan; O ’Riain , M. Justin; Osinubi , Samuel T.; Parker, Daniel M.; Parrini , Francesca; Peel, Mike J.S.; Penner, Johannes P; Pietersen, Darren William; Plumptre , Andrew J.; Ponsonby, Damian W.; Porembski, Stefan; Power, R. John; Radloff , Frans G.T.; Rambau, Ramugondo V.; Ramesh, Tharmalingam; Richards , Leigh R.; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Rollinson, Dominic P.; Rovero, Francesco; Saleh, Mostafa A.; Schmiedel, Ute; Schoeman , M. Corrie; Scholte, Paul; Serfass, Thomas L.; Shapiro, Julie Teresa; Shema , Sidney; Siebert, Stefan J.; Slingsby, Jasper A.; Sliwa, Alexander; Smit-Robinson , Hanneline A.; Sogbohossou, Etotepe A.; Somers, Michael J.; Spawls, Stephen; Streicher, Jarryd P.; Swanepoel, Lourens; Tanshi, Iroro; Taylor, Peter J.; Taylor, William A.; Te Beest, Mariska; Telfer, Paul T.; Thompson , Dave I.; Tobi , Elie; Tolley, Krystal A.; Turner, Andrew A.; Twine, Wayne; Van Cakenberghe , Victor; Van de Perre, Frederik; Van der Merwe , Helga; Van Niekerk, Chris J.G.; Van Wyk, Pieter C.V.; Venter, Jan A.; Verburgt, Luke; Veron , Geraldine; Vetter , Susanne; Vorontsova , Maria S.; Wagner , Thomas C.; Webala, Paul W.; Weber, Natalie; Weier, Sina M.; White , Paula A.; Whitecross, Melissa A.; Wigley, Benjamin J.; Willems, Frank J.; Winterbach, Christiaan W.; Woodhouse, Galena M. (Nature Research, 2024-02-12)
Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems.
Evaluating factors influencing youth participation in agricultural enterprises : implications for food security and agribusiness
Giwu, Ongama; Mdoda, Lelethu; Ntlanga, Samuel S.; Loki, Olwethu (AOSIS, 2024-11-08)
BACKGROUND : Agriculture is crucial for economic growth, yet youth engagement in agricultural enterprises is declining due to concerns related to perceived profitability, resource access, and social stigmas. Understanding these determinants is vital for fostering youth interest in agriculture and promoting sustainable rural development and food security. AIM : This study examines the factors affecting youth engagement in agricultural enterprises in Umzimvubu Local Municipality, South Africa, and their implications for food security and agribusiness. SETTING : Addressing youth unemployment and enhancing agriculture’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) require understanding barriers to youth participation. This study was conducted in Umzimvubu Local Municipality, South Africa. METHODS : A structured questionnaire was administered to 210 youths through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics and a univariate probit regression model were used for analysis. RESULTS : Findings indicate male dominance in agriculture, with educational background positively correlating with participation. Single youths showed greater interest than married counterparts. Challenges like land availability and a lack of financial support hinder engagement. Significant determinants include age, education, farming skills, social group membership, and household revenue, while factors like household size, gender, and limited access to credit negatively impact willingness to participate. CONCLUSION : Addressing financial barriers through improved access to loans is essential to enhance youth involvement. Policies should cater to youth-specific traits and environmental challenges to build a resilient agricultural sector driven by young innovators. CONTRIBUTION : The study emphasises the need for a comprehensive policy framework collaboratively developed by the government, the Department of Agriculture, and non-governmental organisations.
Leveraging capacity for transformative sustainability science : a theory of change from the future earth pathways initiative
Marciniak, Gilles; Urbach, Davnah; Schneider, Flurina; Krug, Cornelia; De Bremond, Ariane; Stafford-Smith, Mark; Selomane, Odirilwe; Fenn, Rebecca; Chong, Natalie; Paillard, Sandrine (Cambridge University Press, 2024)
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY To address increasingly pressing social–environmental challenges, the transformative strand of sustainability science seeks to move beyond a descriptive-analytical stance in order to explore and contribute to the implementation of radical alternatives to dominant and unsustainable paradigms, norms, and values. However, in many cases, academia is not currently structured to support and reward inter-/trans-disciplinary and transformative endeavors. This paper introduces a theory of change for the Future Earth Pathways Initiative, and similar initiatives, to help leverage the capacity of sustainability scientists to engage in transformative research. TECHNICAL SUMMARY The increasing body of descriptive-analytical knowledge produced by sustainability science over the last two decades has largely failed to trigger the transformation of policies, norms, and behaviors it was aiming to inform. The emergent transformative strand of sustainability science is a proactive alternative approach seeking to play an active role in processes of societal change by developing knowledge about options, solutions, and pathways, and by participating in their implementation. In principle, scientists can enhance their contribution to more sustainable futures by engaging in transformative research. However, a lack of skills and competencies, relatively unmatured transformative methods and concepts, and an institutional landscape still geared toward disciplinary and descriptive-analytical research, still hinders the sustainability science community from engaging more widely in transformative research. In this paper, the Future Earth Pathways Initiative introduces a theory of change (ToC) for increasing the capacity of sustainability scientists to engage in this type of research. This ToC ultimately aims to build a growing community of practitioners engaged in transformative research, to advance concepts, methods, and paradigms to foster ‘fit-for-purpose transformative research’, and to shape institutions to nurture transformative research-friendly contexts. SOCIAL MEDIA SUMMARY What would a theory of change for leveraging the transformative capacity of sustainability science look like?
An empirical analysis of the determinants of food insecurity among smallholder farmers in Eastern Rwanda
Kegode, Hilda; Karuaihe, Selma Tuemumunu; Fitawek, Wegayehu Bogale; Jourdain, Damien (BioMed Central, 2025-09)
BACKGROUND : Food insecurity is one of the most pressing problems confronting households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is particularly acute in low income areas across the continent. Despite Rwanda’s economic progress, food insecurity persists especially in rural areas, necessitating empirical evidence to inform targeted interventions that address the complex interplay of socio-economic, environmental and policy factors affecting household food insecurity. Factors affecting food insecurity vary, and obtaining context-specific information is necessary for designing relevant interventions. This empirical study analyzes factors affecting the probability of experiencing severe food insecurity in Eastern Rwanda and discusses how land restoration strategies like agroforestry may contribute to it. Panel data collected in 2018 and 2022 from 1100 randomly selected households are analyzed using both descriptive statistics and a correlated random effects probit model. RESULTS : The findings show a generally high level of food insecurity, with sample households having average food insecurity experience scale scores of 6.02 in 2018 and 5.73 in 2022. Moreover, 63% and 60% of the households experienced severe food insecurity in the two periods, respectively. The empirical results show that farming practices and household socio-economic characteristics played a more significant role in food insecurity status. Households that cultivated different crops had a lower probability of experiencing severe food insecurity and larger households were more likely to experience severe food insecurity. However, agroforestry-related variables were not statistically significant in reducing the probability of severe food insecurity experience in the study area. CONCLUSION : The study concludes that food insecurity in the study area is high. To address the prevailing situation, efforts to reduce food insecurity should focus on solutions that could increase food production in the short term, such as improving household socio-economic status, diversifying crop production and market-focused production. However, these need to be aligned with local needs and ecological conditions. Agroforestry interventions should focus on integrating suitable tree species into farming systems, and future studies should account for the time dimension to accurately capture long-term effects of such interventions. Moreover, experimental studies to enable rigorous impact analysis of agroforestry interventions are recommended.
Global economic impact of scuba dive tourism
Schuhbauer, Anna; Favoretto, Fabio; Wang, Terrance; Aburto-Oropeza, Octavio; Sala, Enric; Millage, Katherine D.; Cabral, Reniel B.; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid; Hsu, Astrid; Lucrezi, Serena; Tighsazzadeh, Mohammad Nasir; De La Cruz, Marisol Plascencia; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andres M. (Elsevier, 2025-07)
Marine ecotourism is increasingly popular and important for local economies, but its aggregated benefits to the global ocean economy are little known and often overlooked in policy discussions. Here, we present a first estimate of the global economic impact of scuba diving based on an online survey of scuba dive operators across the world. We estimate the global annual revenue of scuba diving (direct diving expenditure) at between 0.9 and 3.2 billion USD per year and a broader economic impact (direct and indirect expenditure) at between 8.5 and 20.4 billion USD per year. Marine ecotourism is one of the most promising ocean sectors that can incentivize local sustainable economies, and with 9–14 million marine diving tourists worldwide supporting up to 124,000 jobs, the scuba diving sector could be at the forefront of transformative change for local and global ocean sustainability. HIGHLIGHTS • Scuba dive tourism generates between 8.5 and 20.4 billion USD globally each year • The sector supports up to 124,000 jobs worldwide, with most employees being local • Local dive operators overwhelmingly support conservation initiatives in their regions • Marine ecotourism can align economic growth with sustainable marine management SCIENCE FOR SOCIETY Scuba diving is not just an exciting recreational activity—it is also a significant contributor to the global economy. Our study provides the first global estimate of the economic impact of scuba dive tourism, revealing that the sector generates between 8.5 and 20.4 billion USD annually. This revenue supports local economies, creates jobs, and helps promote marine conservation. By highlighting the economic benefits of scuba diving, our research can help guide policies that balance ecological sustainability and economic growth in coastal communities.
Strong sustainability in the SEEA and the wider indicator landscape
Usubiaga-Liano, Arkaitz; Selomane, Odirilwe; Comte, Adrien (Pensoft Publishers, 2025-05)
The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) remains neutral when it comes to the weak and strong sustainability worldviews. However, although its manuals do not contain any references to these concepts, it can support both through physical and monetary accounting. Given that strong sustainability is better suited to monitor environmental sustainability, we provide insights into how SEEA can contribute to promote the use of strong sustainability indicators. From a strong sustainability perspective, environmental sustainability requires identifying elements of natural capital to be preserved (critical natural capital) and at the level at which they should be preserved (reference values). SEEA and its manuals do not explicitly define the first element, but the concept of 'reference values' is implicitly embedded with the 'ecosystem condition accounts' introduced in the Ecosystem Accounting (EA) manual. As such, EA is the most relevant element of the SEEA in terms of advancing strong sustainability accounting. Given that ecosystem condition accounting is still in its early stages and that ecosystem condition is currently challenging to determine, three actions are proposed to better integrate strong sustainability in SEEA. First, the next revision of the SEEA Central Framework should be more explicit in how SEEA supports weak and strong sustainability. It should also consider how SEEA is linked to the wider indicator landscape (including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Biodiversity Framework). Second, ecosystem condition accounting needs to be further developed, as the more abundant extent accounts cannot capture the quality of ecosystems. Third, ecosystem condition accounting could build on other strong sustainability indicator initiatives such as Planetary Boundaries or the Environmental Sustainability Gap framework that have consistently integrated reference values in the accounting practices. These actions would provide additional means to interpret environmental sustainability beyond the direction of progress as is often the case.
Attitudes of local communities to wildlife conservation and non-consumptive, alternative income sources, near Kruger National Park, South Africa
Moorhouse, T.P.; Ntuli, Herbert; Nketiah, Prince; Elwin, A.; D'Cruze, N.C. (Elsevier, 2025-09)
Public pressure could end trophy hunting of wildlife, potentially negatively affecting species conservation and the human communities that depend upon the revenue hunting generates. Comparable revenue could be generated through other means (e.g. levies on tourists) and this money granted as subsidies to conserve wildlife and promote non-consumptive income streams. It is uncertain, however, whether communities near protected areas would accept such initiatives. We conducted face-to-face surveys in communities adjacent to Kruger National Park, South Africa, to examine attitudes towards, and perceptions of, wildlife conservation and levels of support for non-consumptive income sources. We interviewed 1551 households across 12 communities. The vast majority of respondents supported protecting wildlife and non-consumptive wildlife use, and opposed consumptive uses of wildlife. We tested ten non-consumptive income alternatives, which were supported by >80.1 % of respondents. Where four of these had previously been implemented, 77.7–81.6 % of respondents rated their experience of them as “very good” or “good”. Respondents who were happier and had smaller households were more pro-conservation than those who were unhappier, with larger households. Household income and size may correlate with poverty levels, and therefore happiness, and serve as indices of respondents' capacity to support pro-conservation attitudes. Attitudes to wildlife and willingness to accept novel income sources among communities adjacent to Kruger were sufficient to enact animal welfare and species conservation goals, were subsidies to be provided. We recommend further work implementing non-consumptive income streams in these communities to study how they influence people's happiness levels and wildlife conservation goals.

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