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Formulating indicator selection and composite index validation and application system for agricultural sustainability assessment

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The main purpose of present study was to assess agricultural sustainability using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis (MCDA)-based composite indexing system in Iran. For this purpose, an eleven-step process was developed and employed to select indicators and validate and apply the agricultural sustainability assessment composite index. Indicator selection (first step) was carried out using literature review and experts' evaluation. Item analysis, principal component analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were employed for index validation (second step). In third step, validated indicators were applied to assess agricultural sustainability based of multi-criteria decision analysis. The results of indicator selection process based on the selection criteria including measurability, availability, simplicity/parsimony, and sustainability relevance revealed that 23 indicators are suitable for agricultural sustainability assessment in present study. The results of principal component analysis (first step of indicator validation) revealed that agricultural sustainability consists of four latent dimensions: equity and social well-being, durability, stability and compatibility, and productivity and efficiency. Confirmatory factor analysis (second step of indicator validation) approved the construct (convergent and divergent) validity and reliability of index. The results of applying developed and validated index to assess agricultural sustainability using multi-criteria decision analysis in four climatic regions of Iran demonstrated that Marvdasht and Kazerun had the greatest sustainability scores.
DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106978
Institution: Shiraz University
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W4413821595
FWCI: 2.683
Cites: 131
Cited by: 9
Related to: 10