‘Multi-SWOT’ Multi-Stakeholder-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology: Applied to Improve Slovenian Legume-Based Agri-Food Chains

Abstract

Assessing the sustainability of agri-food chains is challenging for several reasons. It should account for the impacts on environmental, social, and economic wellbeing simultaneously, considering both the individual links in the chain and the chain as a whole. The primary aim of this study is to assess the conditions for meeting the sustainability criteria of a legume-based agri-food chain in Slovenia. Therefore, a quantitative sustainability assessment methodology was developed, using a multi-stakeholder approach, which upgraded the traditional SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Our approach, called ‘Multi-SWOT’, aggregates the SWOT table inputs identified by stakeholders into factors, themes and focus areas, according to their importance for the agri-food chain, for each sustainability pillar, and links in the chain. By accounting for the relative number of incentives (beneficial factors) and barriers (constraint factors) we identified those factors that enhance the sustainability of the Slovenian legume-based agri-food chain and the factors jeopardising it. The incorporation of multi-stakeholder perspectives presents an innovative approach that adds value to a standard SWOT analysis. The study serves as a guide to help decision-makers better understand the multidimensionality of sustainability and identify effective activities to support and strengthen the current legume agri-food chain in Slovenia.

Production and Utilization of Lupinus spp.

“…Compared to the association of soybean-producing countries in the Danube Soya Association (Dunau Soja) and occasional EU agricultural policy support for soybean production, the incentives for the production and use of lupine are much lower. Nevertheless, individual researchers and experts as well as local growers, processors, and users do not hide their enthusiasm for the properties of lupine as they discover the possibilities of its versatile use, noticing benefits for the soil, in human consumption, and livestock feed ha [2,4,17].…”

“…Research results also indicate the great phytosanitary importance of lupine crops in suppressing weeds, pathogens, and pests and reducing their occurrence [16,17,19,26].…”

“…At the same time, we should raise awareness and connect all the links of the supply chain for lupine in the local environment, which affects shorter transportation and therefore a smaller carbon footprint that would result from remote cultivation. Cooperation between all stakeholders in the chain of cultivation, processing, and marketing of lupine is the only way to ensure that our good intentions are realized and observed in food [4,17].…”

Sustainability Indicators for Materials and Processes

“…The simultaneous reduction in the social and economic impacts for a process goes under the name of equity, the intersection of social and environmental impacts defines a bearable process, while the contemporary validation of environmentally friendly and economic processes is called viability. The simultaneous intersection of bearable, equitable and viable processes defines a process as sustainable [28,29]. In other words, if a process is able to maximize profit, minimize the consumption of resources and energy and maximize efficiency while reducing the social impact, then it has the power to reduce the consumption rate of resources compared with their regeneration rates.…”