The adoption of sustainable development indicators in agricultural practices in the Gharb region (Morocco)

Abstract

Many studies were carried out in Morocco to show that the dynamics of the market gardening is characterized by frequent use and often uncontrolled use of chemical inputs to the detriment of the preservation of natural resources, the health of consumers and the producers themselves. This reality, calls for appropriate structural actions, based on the levels of sustainability of the sector. The IDEA method (Farm Sustainability Indicators) is one way of giving practical expression to the concept of sustainable farms. Based on 40 sustainability indicators covering the three dimensions of sustainability: agro-ecological, socio- territorial, and economic. Using the IDEA method, we conducted this research with a view to analyze the sustainability of market gardening exploitations in three rural communities: Mnasra, Sidi Mohamed Benmansour, and Benmansour. We conducted questionnaire interviews with 180 producers. The results obtained have generally shown that the market gardening farms in this region have low sustainability scores. The sustainability of farms is lowest on the socio-territorial scale due to the absence of product quality approaches, poor human development, and poor employment conditions and services. On the economic scale, the low viability stands out. The agro-ecological scale shows higher values due to the good organization of space and diversified systems.

The Mechanism of the Branding Development of Agrarian Regions in the Conditions of the European Integration

“…Supporting the findings Tulchynska S. et al (2022), Nikiforov P. et al (2022, it is expedient to confirm the need for the introduction of innovative developments in the agricultural sector, as well as the importance of the state policy for the development of publicprivate partnerships. The authors Zou Y. et al 2022) are based on the study of problems that restrain the development of agriculture, as well as the prospects for the participation of rural households in agricultural projects and programs of the region.The authors Chbika Sami et al (2020), Mirosław Struś et al (2020 are convinced that the changes taking place in agriculture associated with the reduction of small family farms not only disrupt direct relations between producers and consumers of food, but also endanger food security.…”

Conceptual framework for analyzing the sustainability of socio‐ecological systems with a focus on ecosystem services that support water security

“…Operational studies evaluate and measure sustainability using indicators (Bell & Morse, 2005; Benitez‐Capistros et al, 2014; Van Zeijl‐Rozema et al, 2011). Most of the existing studies focus on the analysis of sustainability of economic activities such as agriculture or livestock at the local level (e.g., Gonzalez‐Redin et al, 2020; Ssebunya et al, 2019; Barron et al, 2021; Castañeda‐Ccori et al, 2020; Chbika & Aouane, 2021; Biret et al, 2019; Astier et al, 2012). Other studies focus on how endogenous drivers affect sustainability (e.g., Gonzalez‐Redin et al, 2020; Tian, 2011), and some others evaluate sustainability either in the social or natural system of an SES (e.g., Jabareen & Eizenberg, 2017; Olalla‐Tárraga, 2010; McKay, 2021) but do not consider an integrated approach.…”