A composite index for assessment of agricultural sustainability: the case of Iran

Nowadays, sustainable agriculture is globally considered a path to achieving the goals of sustainable development. Assessing the sustainability of agriculture can help develop better policies and plans that contribute to sustainable agriculture. Hence, the present study developed new composite indices to assess regional and national agricultural sustainability over time using a four-stage process. The indices were used to conduct an empirical assessment of agricultural sustainability in Iranian provinces during 2007–2017. Initially, 24 individual sustainability indicators were determined in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Then, the indicators were normalized using the min–max method and were weighted using the pairwise comparisons and Analytic Hierarchy Process method. Finally, the composite economic, social, and environmental, and overall indices were constructed using the weighted sum of indicators and the most important results were analyzed using sustainability maps and diagrams. The individual indicators show the current status of resources used in the agriculture sector, and the constructed composite indices can be helpful tools for policymakers and planners to identify the strengths and weaknesses of agriculture in achieving sustainable development, comparing different regions in terms of agricultural sustainability status, evaluating agricultural sustainability over time, and directing agricultural policies. The empirical results indicated that sustainability statuses were different and following an irregular trend in Iranian provinces (except for the economic index in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province and social index in Hamedan and Gilan) throughout the studied period. By adopting regular and proper policies, agricultural sustainability can be increased in Iran.