EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ON FOOD SECURITY IN THE CASE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AND MENA REGIONS

Abstract

This research examined the impact of sustainable agriculture on food security and factors affecting its adoption in Southeast Asia and MENA. We have employed panel data and systematic review methods. The panel data shows that food security is significantly affected by sustainable agriculture. Land use, agricultural inputs, labor productivity, government expenditure, market access, farmers' rights, agri-food production, and economic growth positively impact food security. Water withdrawal, agricultural pollution, climate change, crop price volatility, undernourishment, and population negatively affect food security. The systematic review result shows that demographic, farm character, economic, environmental, social, financial, institutional, and psychological factors were found to affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture. We urge nations to enhance their sustainable agricultural methods, intervene in agricultural marketing to safeguard farmers from price volatility, and enhance their policies to decrease undernourishment and malnutrition. More finance should be forwarded toward the agriculture sector, and financial institutions should provide more financing services for rural farmers. Islamic finance should be mobilized, and intra-regional integration is recommended. In general, we advise governments to intensify their adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, mobilize the existing Islamic financial resources towards sustainable agricultural practices, and integrate sustainable finance with Islamic finance. We also suggest implementing agricultural technology, FinTech, to create awareness and promote regional cooperation.

Date of Award	2023
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies