Comprehensive assessment instruments for place-based sustainable agriculture: a scoping review

Abstract

A rapid transformation to sustainable agricultural production systems is necessary, requiring on-farm monitoring and measurements of key agricultural sustainability indicators. While many assessment methods for agricultural sustainability incorporate a three-pillar model of sustainability: environment, economic, and social, a step beyond this is required to support both human and planetary health. This review takes the position that a more nuanced, yet broader framing of agricultural sustainability is warranted, and identifies the measurement of additional pillars including health and nutrition, production, and responsible governance, plus overlooked aspects including Indigenous cultures. A peer-reviewed and grey literature search was conducted identifying articles ( n = 8) discussing comprehensive, more than three-pillar, on-farm sustainability assessment instruments ( n = 7). These seven instruments were analysed against an a priori framework of adaptability, modularity, practicality and scalability. Also explored was the usage of the broader sustainability pillars and common themes within the literature. Limited literature was found which encompassed the complexity of the requirements for measuring agricultural sustainability on-farm. A scalable and practical approach to the construction and use of on-farm agricultural sustainability assessment instruments is nascent. This review recommends the examination of instruments in a participatory and transdisciplinary manner to ensure effective operationalisation, acknowledge place-based nuance, and support farmers as potential end-users. Moving forward, the application and design of sustainable agriculture assessment instruments needs to encompass the full range of externalities created by agricultural production systems to actualise sustainability.

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